Theatre, pop music and rap collide
LLANELLI’S Ffwrnes Theatre is hosting a stage show exploring independence and bilingualism.
Theatre, pop music and rap collide in the Welsh language production Alys’ Island (Ynys Alys) that follows a young girl as she sets out in search of her independence and asks questions over language and what it is youngsters seek in life.
It will be performed on April 5 and 6 by the Frân Wen theatre company.
The soundtrack to the show was composed and performed virtually by rap artist and Cardiff University alumni Lèmarl Freckleton and Welsh pop artist Casi Wyn.
Lèmarl is a songwriter from Newport, Gwent, and currently based in London. He has cemented himself as a dynamic lyricist heavily influenced by UK rap and recently named as BBC Introducing’s Ones to Watch 2021 under his pseudonym Lemfreck Gethin Evans.
Frân Wen’s artistic director Gethin Evans said: “It’s an emotionally explosive portrayal of who we are in times of change, and what we hope to hold on to as we rebuild our world.
“The idea for Ynys Alys came from discussion with our Young Company, who are incredibly passionate about Welsh independence, but when we spoke to other young people from different parts of Wales it became clear that independence really means different things to different people.
“It posed a fundamental question – what is it we stand for and what kind of world do we want to live in?”
Lèmarl and singer songwriter Casi from Bangor worked with playwright Gareth Evans-Jones during the creative process.
According to Casi the soundtrack bridges contrasting musical and cultural styles resulting in a bold and original production.
For tickets and further information visit www.franwen.com