Voices Unveiled: Pembrokeshire's True Tales Echo on Stage in 'Farmers Townies and Grockles’
The arts organisation SPAN Arts is one of 16 UK organisations partnering with Unlimited, an arts commissioning body that supports, funds and promotes new work by disabled and neurodivergent artists for UK and international audiences.
The commission has been awarded to actor, writer and founder of Popty Ping Productions theatre company, Ceri Ashe to create ‘Farmers Townies and Grockles’, a bilingual play telling the true stories of the people of Pembrokeshire, directed by Anna Sherratt.
Verbatim theatre is made from real people’s words. Ceri Ashe (Bipolar Me, Tales of a New Normal, Lockdown Tales: Making Bread and Babies) has been holding storytelling workshops and interviewing people from across Pembrokeshire about their lives. These true stories have been woven together to create a tapestry of voices that explores what it means to be a resident of this rural county. From farmers in Marloes, retired Welsh teachers in Cilgerran, barmen in Little Haven, to zumba instructors in Milford Haven - this exciting new show explores the themes of belonging, community and change.
It is also an honest look at the issues facing people in Pembrokeshire today: the lack of affordable housing, the decline in Welsh speaking communities, and the future of farming.
Ceri says: ‘I have always been intrigued by the diverse range of people Pembrokeshire is home to, and it’s been a delight to go out into the community to speak to people from north and south of the county to create this play. I’ve worked with SPAN previously to create online verbatim plays during lockdown, and it’s so exciting to now be able to create a live theatre show with a fantastic cast of professional and community actors all from Pembrokeshire.’
Bethan Touhig-Gamble director of SPAN arts mentions “Being part of the Unlimited Commission which champions disabled and Neurodivergent artists has supported SPAN to invest in the creation of this extraordinary new work. We are proud to be able to create platforms for diverse creatives in Pembrokeshire to tell their own stories and make work that is rebellious, radical, adventurous, inspiring, and playful.”
This eagerly anticipated production will be performed in community venues for two shows only:
Friday 22nd March – Ffwrn, 6 Main St, Fishguard SA65 9HH at 7:30pm (limited spaces)
Saturday 23rd March – Pill Social Centre, Cellar Hill, Milford Haven SA73 2QT 3:00pm
Pay what you can for this exciting new show!
Book your space via the SPAN Arts website span-arts.org.uk