Powerful Play Captures Tonypandy Riots

Friday March 12, 2010

Statement & Pictures from Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council:

A powerful and captivating play exploring the origins, events and opposing viewpoints of the Tonypandy Riots is touring schools throughout the South Wales area.

Spectacle Theatre’s “From The Horses Mouth” has a talented three-person cast who are thrust together in a stable amidst the clash between the miners and constabulary outside the Llwynypia Powerhouse in 1910.

The play forms the starting point of a Community Play entitled “Tails From The Horse’s Mouth” which will take place in November this year to commemorate the centenary of the Riots.

The Community Play project was launched in 2006 by Rhondda AM Leighton Andrews and since them regular meetings of interested partners have been held to create opportunities for artists and the community to collaborate in a project

“From The Horse’s Mouth” has already visited schools throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf and the reaction from children and teachers alike has been overwhelming. It is a sensitive and passionate story of three children involved in the historic events of a century ago. The story begins on the side of a Valley's hill, where the characters literally step into the past.

With the important use of music, sound effects and lighting, the minimal stage is set for three actors to explore many of the themes and indeed opposing views of the effect of the Cambrian Combine Strike and the determination of the miners to close the Llwynypia Powerhouse so that work could be halted on the nearby Glamorgan Colliery, or “The Scotch”.

Carys Parry plays nine-year-old Nel, Aled Herbert is 14-year-old militant young miner Aled Herbert and Carlton Bunce plays Maverick the pit pony and young “black leg” Thomas who is determined to save the 320 horses underground from suffocation or drowning should the boilers of the Powerhouse shut down and flood the pit below.

Artistic Director of Spectacle Steve Davis explained: “In celebrating the events of a hundred years ago we have been seeking to learn about ourselves today and what we want to be in the future.

“A lot of enjoyment and creative energy has been gained from the forging of new relationships amongst different sections of the community. We believe the legacy of this work will be a stronger more cohesive community, with a surer grasp of its history and its future way forward.”

This week a special performance of the play was staged at Coleg Morgannwg in Llwynypia. In attendance were members of the Tonypandy 2010 committee who are organizing a series of events to commemorate the Riots along with trustees from the Rhondda Powerhouse Trust who want to invest in the future of the historic building which was central to the events of a century ago.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation Cllr Robert Bevan explained: “Tonypandy 2010 will showcase talent from throughout the county borough who combine their creative energies to ensure a very exciting and important range of activities to commemorate one of the most important events in the history of the county borough.

“Spectacle Theatre’s play has already proved an absolute hit with children and adults alike and I’m sure many more residents and visitors to Rhondda Cynon Taf will be impressed by such a captivating piece of work.

“We look forward with great anticipation to the selection of activities being organised by various organizations and coordinated by the Council to make Tonypandy 2010 an event to remember.”

A public performance of “From The Horse’s Mouth” will be held at Llanover Hall, Canton on Thursday 25th March at 7.30pm.

For further information or to purchase tickets for Llanover Hall, please contact Elaine Lord, Marketing Manager on 01443 430700

“From The Horse’s Mouth” is a starting point for the wider Community Play which will be performed in November 2010. The events are open to any person or organization interested in the development of the project.

If you would like to join in, contact 01443 430700 or email info@spectacletheatre.co.uk

(ENDS)

Dean Powell, Media Liaison Officer