http://nanog.swede.local/en/ feed_description en matt@viewcreative.co.uk Copyright 2010 2010-08-10T10:44:08+00:00 http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/na-nog-and-swanseas-drug-project http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/2010/08/10/na-nog-and-swanseas-drug-project#When:10:44:08Z Exciting stuff! Theatr na n'Óg and Swansea's Drug Programme have teamed up with an exciting project.  Young people from all over Swansea are working on a devised project that explores the trials and tribulations of growing up in a pressured, changing and addictive cultured society. The project was launched on Tuesday July 27th and will be taking place every week at the YMCA, 6pm-8pm, until the autumn.     2010-08-10T10:44:08+00:00 http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/we-need-bees http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/2010/07/10/we-need-bees#When:21:29:12Z We Need Bees in Caerau Primary Caerau Children Tell Us ‘We Need Bees’   Young students from Caerau Primary School are busy working with Theatr na n’Og rehearsing for a free community show-back performance of ‘We Need Bees’, on Friday 9 July at 1.30pm at Caeau Primary School. The play looks at the many issues faced by bees in the current environmental climate, including the use of pesticides, organic farming, pollution, allotment creation and intensive farming. The workshops are supported by Caerau Communities First Partnership, Bridgend County Borough Council’s Arts and Community Development Department, Sustrans, Theatr na n’Og, The Wales Council for Voluntary Action, Bridgend Beekeepers Association and the National Society of Allotments and Leisure Gardeners. All of the groups involved have been working as part of a creative community in Caerau to give a practical dimension to the themes explored in the play, to help educate the children involved with learning through play and to link with further planned community regeneration projects in Caerau and Maesteg.   For further details, please call ,Guy O’Donnell, Bridgend County Borough Council Arts Projects Officer, mob: 07977 119 074 or email@: arts@bridgend.gov.uk. http://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profiles/blogs/theatr-na-nog-we-need-bees 2010-07-10T21:29:12+00:00 http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/in-the-footsteps-of-wallace http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/2010/07/08/in-the-footsteps-of-wallace#When:21:53:14Z Geinor's blog of theatr na n'Óg's visit to RioHere is the link to my blog about our visit to the Museu da Vida in Rio de Janeiro in July 2010 Geinor's Rio Blog  2010-07-08T21:53:14+00:00 http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/theatr-na-nog-breaks-record http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/2010/06/15/theatr-na-nog-breaks-record#When:08:43:07Z 6000 children see Gluscabi Theatr na n'Óg's Gluscabi has been touring schools across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend since March and by the end of the tour in June the cast would have performed 100 shows to 70 schools and 6000 pupils.  Pupils from the Foundation Phase have been spellbound by the show and with something for everyone it was smiles all round! “A wonderful experience for all children.  The children were captured from beginning to end by the excellent storytellers and imaginative costumes.  Their faces were delightful to watch as they were taken into another world!  Thank you” Penllergaer Primary School       2010-06-15T08:43:07+00:00 http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/theatr-na-nog-go-to-brazil http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/2010/04/14/theatr-na-nog-go-to-brazil#When:12:30:39Z THEATR NA N’ÓG’S EVOLUTIONARY PLAY TO BE PERFORMED IN RIO DE JANEIRO   The Museum da Vida at Rio de Janeiro will present Theatr na n’Óg’s intriguing and exciting play about Alfred Russel Wallace, the co-inventor of Origin of Species.    Luisa Massarani, Director of the Museum is thrilled to produce the play in Brazil and explains “The Museum is linked to the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, a top research institution linked to the Ministry of Health, and we are located in the poorest and biggest concentration of slums of Latin America, and we would be spreading the voice on Wallace among low income communities.”   “ You Should Ask Wallace” is a play that tells the true story of the brilliant Welsh naturalist who discovers the Theory of Evolution and then shares the idea with Charles Darwin, propelling Darwin to publish his seminal work – “Origin of Species”   Little is known of Wallace the self-taught scientist, who was born in Llanbadoc, Monmouthshire.  He spent his formative years in Neath surveying the land for the railways, before venturing into the wilds of the Amazon to collect and examine new species as part of his endeavor to discover the theory o f evolution.   The play’s performance in Portugese will coincide with the opening of a new exhibition on how the Brazilian biodiversity inspired Wallace and Darwin to consolidate the evolution theory. Geinor Styles, artistic director of Theatr na n’Óg who are based in Neath, explains “Alfred Russel Wallace began his first expedition to the Amazon from Neath, and Theatr na n’Óg are following in his footsteps with his story. This project demonstrates that theatre work created by a small local company in Wales has global appeal. We are very excited that thousands of children from some of the poorest areas of Rio will have an opportunity to see the work, and learn about such an important event in history.”   2010-04-14T12:30:39+00:00 http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/We-need-bees-at-caearu-primary http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/2009/07/30/We-need-bees-at-caearu-primary#When:11:01:50Z We Need Bees at Caerau PrimaryWriting Workshop with the brilliant Bankrupt Bride writer Kath Chandler. The Pavilion will play host to a Young Writing Squad workshop, run by Kath Chandler, before their showing of The Bankrupt Bride. The free workshop will run from 5.30-6.30 in the Stagedoor, with writer Kath Chandler leading a workshop based on writing a musical comedy. The workshop will be open to young people aged between 12-25. Kath Chandler has worked for companies such as Made in Wales, The Sherman Theatre, HTV and Theatre West Glamorgan. She has worked as a writer on community projects with Bridgend Young Writing Squad and The Yellow Project, both of which had plays produced and performed. She was also the Dialogue Writer on the feature film Miss Conception. If you want to attend and have an interest in literature then please contact Guy O'Donnell on 0797711904 or guy.odonell@bridgend.gov.uk. 2009-07-30T11:01:50+00:00 http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/the-bankrupt-bride-charity-auction http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/2009/07/28/the-bankrupt-bride-charity-auction#When:14:27:30Z Help raise money for Cancer Research UK by donating your old wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses to be auctioned online.To help raise awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, we are holding an online auction of donated wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses.   We know how much your wedding dress means to you.  That one big day where all eyes are on you for the once in a lifetime occasion.  That is why we would be honored if you considered donating for us, for the charity and for the next bride-to-be. The donated dresses will become part of the set for The Bankrupt Bride, being on display across Wales and in London.  The auction will take place online during the tour, closing on the final night, 21 Nov. So why leave your dress buried in the cupboard, bring it out for one last show and give someone else the chance to shine on their big day.  All the money raised is in aid of Cancer Research UK. To donate a dress, just bring it along to Taliesin Arts Centre between the 12 - 14 Oct or contact lewis at Theatr na n'Óg on lewisgwyther@hotmail.co.uk to make other arrangements. Address: Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea University, Singleton Park.  Swansea. SA2 8PZ Several dresses have already been donated so join the fun, join the show and Get Ready for the Big Day! For more information email lewisgwyther@hotmail.co.uk or call 01639 641771. 2009-07-28T14:27:30+00:00 http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/a-world-war-two-adventure http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/2009/05/12/a-world-war-two-adventure#When:10:55:43Z This Autumn we will see the return of the exciting and very amusing production Halt! Who Goes There? set during World War II. On the night of the 10th - 11th March 1945, 67 German Prisoners of War tunneled to freedom from Camp 198 in Bridgend. It was the biggest escape attempt made by German POWs in Great Britain during the Second World War. The whole community take part in the hunt for the prisoners including four children who, armed with sticks, catapults and knitting needles set about capturing the Gerries! But their excitement is short lived however, when they discover a much darker secret! News 2009-05-12T10:55:43+00:00 http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/the-boy-the-chick-and-the-golden-egg-opens http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/2009/03/01/the-boy-the-chick-and-the-golden-egg-opens#When:18:03:58Z Jack and the Chick Hit The Road Flying Humpty promises a Big Smash Goldilocks gets her just desserts ! It's na n'Ógs Brand New ShowOur brand new show for years 1 and 2 hits the road this week.  Our team of Actors;  Alun Saunders, Ceri Mills and Iola Hughes with the technical team of Marike Zwarts and James Fletcher will visit a staggering amount of schools throughout Swansea, Neath & Portalbot and Bridgend. IF you haven't booked a show yet IT'S NOT TOO LATE please call Rachel on 01639 641 771  for last minuite availability 2009-03-01T18:03:58+00:00 http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/test-article-number-three http://www.theatr-nanog.co.uk/en/blog/2008/11/07/test-article-number-three#When:11:20:09Z Neath based bi lingual Theatre in Education company, Theatr na n'Óg have recently celebrated their 25th anniversary year Over the last quarter of a century, Theatr na n'Óg (formerly Theatre West Glamorgan) has provided professional theatre performances, workshops and drama sessions to more than 1500 schools and for more than 250,000 schoolchildren.Neath based bi lingual Theatre in Education company, Theatr na n'Óg have recently celebrated  their 25th anniversary yearOver the last quarter of a century, Theatr na n'Óg (formerly Theatre West Glamorgan) has provided professional theatre performances, workshops and drama sessions to more than 1500 schools and for more than 250,000 schoolchildren.Funded by the Arts Council for Wales and Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend Councils, the company is keen to further develop its work. It has ambitious plans to increase its outreach programme, drama clubs, youth theatre and teacher training. The company are also embarking on an income generation strategy headed by its new patron Sian Lloyd. Sian who puts her confidence in front of camera down to her school drama teacher, Emily Davies at Ystalfera. Sian believes it is essential for audiences to be introduced to theatre at a young age and that Theatre in Education is a well recognised Educational tool which allows children to freely express themselves and engage with others and for many a Theatr na n'Óg show is often their first taste of live theatre.Sians enthusiasm is mirrored by na n'Ógs Education officer, Rachel Lloyd, who said in a double page spread in The Western Mail Educational supplement in October, “Our Theatre in Education programme breaks down barriers between actors and audiences to create a forum for learning empowerment and change. It’s not about discovering the gifted few – it’s about finding the ability in everyone and enabling it to flourish”Na n'Óg take great pride in their relationship with the Education sector. All of their Theatre-in –Education work is moulded by detailed discussion with teachers who help the company deliver  work to the national curriculum Colin Smith, Deputy Head at Garth Primary school, Maesteg has no doubts about the effect such an experience has on his school children “Giving our children the opportunity to see and be involved in a show of this quality is an experience never to be forgotten” And this is what lies at the heart and what drives the company on to increase both quality and breadth of its work, not just in schools but across Wales through main stream Theatre.Ceri James, Manager of Na n'Óg, is rightfully pleased with the company’s work and says,“Our audience of children can expect theatre as sophisticated and polished as an adult visiting a theatre production would expect”The company produces three which are specifically linked to the curriculum. The Autumn 2008 production “Morfa The Pit of Ghosts”, a dark Victorian tale, is a partnership between the Swansea Museum and The Dylan Thomas Theatre in Swansea. This project enables 6000 children and their teachers to experience live theatre in a local venue and to participate in workshops concentrating on the Victorian period, at the museum ( a relationship Na n'Óg have enjoyed with the Museum for 19 years, as is unique in Wales).Theatre productions are accompanied by education resources which enable teachers and pupils to build upon curriculum requirements and complement the theatre presentation. Teachers also help develop the resource packs, with their time covered by the company, by paying for supply teaching cover.Uniquely the company organise secondments for teachers for their continued professional development (CPD). On average 12 teachers will work with the company throughout the year. Unusually for a Theatre in Education Company, Na n’Og actually has its own Theatre base (albeit hired). The Dylan Thomas Theatre,  in The Swansea maritime quarter. The Dylan Thomas Theatre, is an amateur Theatre which allows Na n’Og access for six months a year to develop its bi-lingual Theatre programmes. This enables the company to really be able to present the full theatre experience.This is not lost on the critics. David Adams writing in The Western Mail of a previous na n'Óg show, The princess and The Hunter said “What makes it special is that the professionalism evident in the production and performance is allied to the skills that companies like this have developed –in na n’Ogs case these ensure that the audiences have a good night out, that they feel engaged, that they are not sold short – an ethos embraced by all Wales’s young people theatre companies..this is theatre for young people of a high standard”.  Michael Kelligan commenting on the same show said “..the audience screamed the house down. What more could anyone want!”Of na n'Óg’s,  “Nia Ben Aur”, critic  Graham Williams said “Those who despair at the way in which the purity of the Welsh language has been chipped away in recent years will undoubtedly derive great pleasure from the commitment of the cast. The show has been attracting large and appreciative audiences throughout its tour, proving that even at a time when American pop culture reigns supreme, there is a massive appetite for entertainment which credits its target audience with intelligence and respect for the mother tongue.”Non professional critics too heap their praise on the company’s work. Chloe Morgan aged 11 said (of na n’Ogs show, Stowaway) “ it was the best trip we have ever been on..I’m going to tell my whole family about Stowaway”And what of the future now they have 25 years under their belt?The company are determined that they will continue to deliver the highest quality of programming that they are able, although it will be a challenge to develop as significantly in the future as they have in the last nine years.During this time, productivity has increased by over a third, performance weeks trebled and they have increased their production output by two additional projects for schools, enabling an additional 4000 children and young people to see live theatre productions at their school or local venue.Finances therefore, not ambition (they have that in bucketfuls!), will dictate how the company can develop further.Ceri James said, “We have been fortunate to have built very strong foundations so far, we have a dedicated, hard working and outstanding staff team, we own our own base, have a solid track record of performance, programmes that are even oversubscribed and  continued arts council funding and valuable support from our Council supporters. But you never know in these straightened times, when calls on the public purse grow ever stronger, what our financial situation will be in years to come. That is why we will be undertaking a number of sponsorship and incomegeneration initiatives via the private sector.We shall also be developing our touring work within Wales and in the UK, extending our portfolio.For 2009  the company will be embarking on a new show for 5-7 year olds “The Boy, The Chick and the Golden Egg” and a new touring Theatre shows in association with Taleisin , Cyrano, a new adaption by Keiron Self and a musical comedy “The Bankrupt Bride,  based on an original idea by the Company’s Director, Geinor Styles”.In a unique collaboration Theatr na n’og are part of an international web based initiative, Web Play. The company are the only company in Wales which is part of this international initiative where children can interact directly with company designers and writers developing ideas in set and costume design, marketing materials and story lines.Ceri James is looking forward to future growth of the Company “Hopefully, we can deliver to our vision and in years to come we will be able to say, as one of our audience critics once said, “My favourite performance yet, although I say that every year” News 2008-11-07T11:20:09+00:00