Production to highlight the tragedy of warfare
AMAJOR open-air theatre production is set to take over Swansea for five days. It will mark the centenary of the final year of the First World War and be similar in impact to actor Michael Sheen’s The Passion in Port Talbot.
Now The Hero, from Swanseaborn artist Marc Rees, will use dance, art, prose and performance to tell its story.
It will start on Swansea Bay beach before heading across the road to the inspiration for the ambitious project, The British Empire Panels by Sir Frank Brangwyn in the Brangwyn Hall.
While some of the finer details and surprises of the production are being kept under wraps for now, we know that epic Welsh poem The Gododdin will be brought to life through a new requiem scored by award-winning composer Jóhann Jóhannsson.
He will work in collaboration with budding composer Owen Morgan Roberts and poet Owen Sheers, and sung by Grammy-nominated choir Polyphony.
The event will be the Welsh highlight of the final year of 14-18 NOW events, the UK-wide arts programme for the First World War centenary. It will also be the opening event of the 2018 Swansea International Festival,
Speaking at the launch of the event, Marc Rees said: “Over the years, I’ve discovered that works of culture and creativity can open up not just buildings that have been closed but also communities.
“Nawr yr Arwr/Now the Hero reflects Swansea’s rich history and sheds light on a somewhat neglected series of paintings with a tragic message in what promises to be a truly unique immersive experience. I can think of no better way to mark the final year of 14-18 NOW than to create a defining Welsh production, in poignant commemoration.”
Now the Hero explores stories of battle from three distinct periods of Welsh history; a medieval warrior, a First World War Private and a contemporary solider.
The contemporary solider will be played by David Williams, a Swansea-raised Captain of 2nd Battalion The Rifles. He has served in Afghanistan, Gabon, South Sudan and Iraq
In January this year, Williams left the military and plans to retrain as a therapist and powerlifting instructor while becoming involved in the art community of Swansea.
Sir Frank Brangwyn’s Empire Panels were commissioned by the House of Lords, but were deemed “too colourful and lively” so were offered a home at the Brangwyn.
The Gododdin, written by Aneurin in AD 600, is one of the oldest surviving Welsh works of poetry. The epic poem tells of the battle for Catraeth in which almost 300 Celtic warriors were killed.
Nawr yr Arwr/Now the Hero will be in Swansea from September 25 to September 29. Tickets go on sale in the spring.