In Development

UNPROTECTED by Bethan Marlow

Following on from our Incubator Project with WMC in November 2009. We have been offered co-production by the centre to further develop and evolve our work. Bethan Marlow and Director, Sarah Bickerton have been collaborating and have now entered rehearsals with actors Rhian Blythe and Gareth Milton. Unprotected follows Violet, who, having left home embarks on a life with no boundaries, she can now do anything and be anyone - it's like playing a game! But, as soon as she starts playing with that mysterious thing called love she discovers that the lines are blurred, the rules uncertain and a question rises- who's in control?

The show plays 8th and 9th December 2010 at 8pm. Weston Studio, Wales Millennium Centre, Bute Street. Cardiff. Tickets are available from www.wmc.org.uk or by calling 029 2063 6464.

		Photography by Kirsten McTernan

 

NEVER, FEAR, LOVE?

Following a fantastic 2 week process in November 2009, as part of WMC’s Incubator Project, we are taking this project forward! Penned by the wonderful Bethan Marlow, guided by the phenomenal Sarah Bickerton and performed by the incomparable Rhian Blythe, Charlotte Gray, Owain Rhys Davies and Victoria John with brilliant Fight Direction from Rachel Bown-Williams. We discovered not only new things about our own crafts but, whilst on this journey, created the beginnings of an exciting piece with 2 really interesting and important issues at its heart: What is Normal and What is Love?

			Photography by Rachel Bown-Williams

Here’s some of the audience feedback from the audience of our Incubator performance:

Well constructed play. With excellent use of the stage and light. I liked the plot of all the housemates. Very distinctive character and strong performances.

What a great performance! I really enjoyed it and thought the set up worked really well. Funny and disturbing at the same time, which I really wasn’t expecting. Like the way all the characters interacted. Would like to see more performances. Captivating activating.

 The ‘set’ – lighting – promoted the isolation and humour of characters really well. It posed the fascinating question – what is normal? The acting was extremely powerful. I feel this could be developed into a full scale production. I’d like to see the theme deepened.  What exactly is love? Brilliant!

Great performances. Great play on the meaningness of ‘normal’ – almost made you crave for a little normality! Felt the ‘sex’ was over used / forced. Wanted variation with the female characters. Why did both females ‘crave’ the male? Why would they? What did he provide? Why wouldn’t he – hey this is good it made me question and it made me want more! Congratulations guys! X

So, we will begin a further period of development in February 2010 and be back with a full length piece later in the year. We are also discussing the possibility of repeating our "Never, Fear, Love?" Process in the Welsh language later next year so watch this space!

The Gut Girls

During off stage moments in Barry Kyle’s production of The Suicide at Theatr Clwyd Cymru, V and Charlotte Gray talked of making theatre and creating jobs for the girls that focused on the female experience. With an idea in hand we approached Sherman Cymru’s New Artist Development Programme who accepted us. A 4 day workshop of Sarah Daniels’ The Gut Girls followed with Amy Bonsall directing and a stellar cast of actors.

		Photography by Dyfrig Morris

CAST

Maggie/Nora	Ffion Williams
Polly	Lucy Rivers
Ellen	Victoria John
Priscilla / Eady	Eiry Hughes
Kate	Lisa Zahra
Annie / Emily	Charlotte Gray
Lady Helena	Shelley Rees
Harry/Arthur	Dyfrig Morris
Jim / Edwin	Owain Rhys Davies
Director	Amy Bonsall
Fight Arranger	Rachel Bown-Williams
Accent Coach	Simon Reeves
Facilitated by:
Sherman Cymru’s New Artist Development Director	Phil Mackenzie
Velvet Ensemble	Victoria John Charlotte Gray

The Gut Girls provides the forum for the voices of some remarkable women to be heard. Living in stifling Victorian London, where gender and class determined ones path, these women were vibrant, caring, curious and, from the sweat of the brows, financially solvent. But when one of their ‘betters’ sets her sights on releasing the gut girls from their unacceptable working conditions, all of their lives change forever.

This play has some important things to teach us about women’s history, unemployment and the right to a living wage but also provides an interesting springboard to challenge and educate. There are some striking parallels between the women of The Gut Girls and women in Wales of the same period who undertook jobs in heavy industry, considered to be ‘men’s work.’ Professor Angela V. John, who has written extensively on this subject, has agreed to collaborate with us on this project. Her knowledge and understanding of Welsh Women’s History will provide a basis for our education work. She will also be writing some programme notes specifically for our production which will provide vivid resonance for a Welsh audience.

Connecting with local communities, throughout Wales is a keen objective of Velvet Ensemble. We have extensive experience of working in schools in London and enjoy the challenge and rewards that come with engaging with young people. We want to target schools in Wales where unemployed families form a large proportion of the demographic, offering bespoke workshop packages exploring themes of employment, local history and cultural heritage.

We are committed to this project and are actively seeking a co-producer for The Gut Girls to be mounted as a full production.