The Great War in the
World War I had a major effect not just on life in Wales’ cities, but also on towns and villages across the South Wales Valleys. A brand new theatre piece will next month explore exactly what war meant for those living in such communities, as Tom Houghton
THE effect of war on Valleys communities and an unusual glimpse of life in the trenches will be shown as part of a new interactive play being staged in South Wales.
Performed between January 25 and 27, Forget Me Not will showcase World War I’s impact both on those at home and those on the front.
With support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), theatre company Avant Cymru has worked with communities in Pontypridd and the Rhondda Valley to research and discover the stories from World War I – particularly about the effect it had on those who left for war and the people who were left behind. It will take place at Pontypridd Museum.
Alan Humphreys, creative producer, said: “The key idea behind the play was to showcase the real effect the war had on the Valleys.
“It’s funded by the HLF, so as well as providing our audience with an entertaining and engaging production, we’re keen to educate and inform as well, so the research we conducted earlier this year has fed directly into the writing and plot.”
He said the play itself would look to take the audience on a “journey”.
“They will arrive in Pontypridd Museum and become part of a congregation – we’re excited to be using the organ in the museum itself as part of the show,” Mr Humphreys explained.
He added: “The audience will get an insight of what it was like at the time – our minister will be emphasising how important it was for people to contribute and fight, while a recruitment officer will be doing the same.
“We’ll see how important coal mining was and how miners weren’t eligible to sign up as their efforts at home were seen as too important, while underage men were encouraged to be ‘creative’ when saying how old they are, to ensure they could be part of it.
“The audience will then be taken downstairs to get an insight of what it was like in a trench – a replica of which we have managed to obtain – before spending more time with our characters and understanding the conflict going on within them, as well as around them.”
Rachel Pedley, director of Forget Me Not and artistic director of Avant Cymru, said: “Knowing that it’s the centenary of the last year of World War I, we wanted to mark what the people of the Valleys contributed at home and on the frontline.
“Research was a really important part of this and so working with Glamorgan Archives, Pontypridd Museum and local people was crucial to make sure we found the facts and stories that remember the contribution from Valleys residents.
“We’ve been so inspired by what we’ve found – letters were an important form of communication and this will play a big part in the storyline.
“Real words from actual soldiers have inspired the dialogue and the storyline has been influenced through people’s experiences in trench life, the chapel and at home – the audience will get to be part of this through our exciting and interactive approach.”
The cast will Daniel Rochford.
Originally from Pontypridd, Daniel starred in S4C and BBC’s Hinterland / Y Gwyll and appears regularly as Ifan Harri-Parri in The Harri-Parris Show on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio 4.
According to Avant Cymru, he is looking forward to being able to perform in his hometown, a chance “not often presented” to him.
Mr Humphreys added: “We’re excited to be working with Dan for the first time, alongside Avant regulars Yannick Budd and include Matthew Bool.”
Mr Humphreys also said it was important to stress the production was taking place in Pontypridd.
He explained: “Ponty has been starved of live theatre for years.
“With the exception of the panto at the Muni and occasional amateur performances, there is very little on offer in terms of professional work.
“This is a chance for Pontypridd to vote with their feet and show that they want more to be produced on their doorstep.
“We’ve had plenty of support from the area so far in the form of Pontypridd Town Council, your Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and RCT Theatres.”
Avant Cymru describes itself as a forward-thinking theatre company from the South Wales Valleys, producing professional shows with and for the community, performing them locally, nationally and internationally to showcase inspiring, compelling and relevant stories from the Valleys.
Previously, it has turned life in the Rhondda Valley into a soap opera that people could watch at the theatre once a month.
Rhondda Road, known as a “continual drama”, began in September and aimed to tackle issues faced by the community through acting.
Artistic director Ms Pedley said the idea came about after talking to locals about what they wanted to address.
“We wanted to investigate what audiences wanted,” she said.
“So we started talk-
ing to some of the young people at the comprehensive school and groups from the WI and through Rhondda Radio and a local councillor and started asking people what they wanted to see.”
Forget Me Not follows the success of a previous play inspired by a World War I mail boy, with that also focusing on stories from the Home Front in the Valleys.
The Last Post – Yr Utgorn Olaf – was created by community organisation Head4Arts and told the story of Bob Terrell’s father John, who delivered telegrams and parcels, with the play telling of a post boy too young to sign up.
The work used both real and fictitious letters to bring to life the joys and heartaches of this period of history and was staged in Merthyr Tydfil earlier this year.
■ Performances of Forget Me Not will take place at both 1.30pm and 7.30pm at Pontypridd Museum between January 25 and 27.
■ Tickets cost £10 and £8 from www. avant.cymru – ticket holders will also get 15% off at New York Pancake Department by displaying their ticket, with the eaterie open until 8pm on each night of the show