Rap, theatre, pop – and identity

A new production from Welshlanguage theatre company Frân Wen breaks exciting new ground

THEATRE, rap and pop combine in a fresh new production from Welsh-language theatre company Frân Wen, which is touring Wales now.

Ynys Alys (Alys’ Island) centres around a young woman and her newfound independence after she leaves home for the first time. Faced by the big questions about identity, what defines her and her relationship with a new home, Alys struggles to make sense of herself in a world that is beyond all comprehension.

“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,” says Frân Wen’s artistic director Gethin Evans.

“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, beyond idealism and romanticisation – what is it we stand for and what kind of world do we want to live in?”

The production started its national tour at Pontio Bangor on March 17 and tours until April 7, visiting Merthyr, Llanelli and Cardiff. All performances have English captions.

It stars Valmai Jones and Fflur Medi Owen as a mother and daughter falling through centuries as they grapple with the future of the house that has been in their family for generations. Joining them on stage for her professional debut is Becca Naiga as Alys, the 18-year-old trying to hold it all together as she navigates her way through an independent life.

Jones, an acclaimed Welsh stage actor, is performing in her first production with Frân Wen. Her stage career includes appearances in Gas Station with the Royal Court and Theatr Bara Caws’ Halibalw. On screen she has appeared in BBC’s Pitching In, Channel 5’s Mind To Kill and S4C’s iconic C’mon Midffîld.

Combining gritty and honest beats, the soundtrack is composed and performed virtually by rap artist Lemarl Freckleton, named as BBC Introducing’s Ones to Watch 2021 under his pseudonym Lemfreck, and Welsh pop artist Casi Wyn. Newport-based Lemarl and Bangorbased Casi worked side-by-side with playwright Gareth Evans-Jones during the creative process.

“The tracks are a meeting of worlds and a sharing of perspectives,” says Casi. “Each song weaves into the unfolding adventure between the characters as the soundtrack captures their hopes and fears.

“Finding the connections between the characters and the score was key so that everything works in unity. Bilingualism plays its part quite prominently, with Welsh sitting naturally alongside English as we flow in and out of melodies, beats and poetry.”

■ More details can be found at www.franwen.com