National Theatre Wales facts for kids

National Theatre Wales (NTW) is a special theatre company in Wales. It's known for putting on big shows in unusual places, not just regular theatres. They also work closely with different communities across Wales. NTW is the national theatre for plays in English. It has a "sister company" called Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, which is the national theatre for plays in Welsh.

About National Theatre Wales

The government of Wales started National Theatre Wales in 2007. They wanted an English-language national theatre for the country. In May 2009, the company officially began its work.

Unfortunately, in September 2023, the Arts Council of Wales announced a change. They said that funding for the company would stop from April 2024.

Who Leads the Theatre?

Over the years, different people have led National Theatre Wales. Phil George was the first chairperson. Later, Sir Clive Jones took over this role. In May 2023, Sharon Gilburd and Yvonne Connikie became joint Chairs.

The first artistic director was John E. McGrath. An artistic director helps decide what plays the theatre will put on. After John, Kully Thiarai and Lorne Campbell became artistic directors.

In 2018, a group of Welsh writers sent a letter to the theatre's leaders. They wanted the company to focus more on creating traditional theatre plays. They also felt the theatre should be more open about its plans.

National Theatre Wales is known for its wide variety of work. They often put on large shows in unique locations. They also do important work with different communities across Wales.

Amazing Productions by NTW

National Theatre Wales has created many memorable shows. Here are some of their most notable productions:

• The Persians (2010): This play was a new version of a very old European story. It was performed on a military training area in the Brecon Beacons. It won the 2010 Ted Hughes Award.
• The Passion (2011): This was a huge 72-hour show created by actor Michael Sheen. It won an award for Best Director.
• The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning (2012): This play told a fictional story about Chelsea Manning's teenage years in Pembrokeshire. It won the 2013 James Tait Black Prize for Drama.
• CORIOLAN/US (2012): This show was a modern take on Coriolanus. It was performed in a World War II aircraft hangar. The Royal Shakespeare Company helped create it.
• In Water I’m Weightless (2012): This play explored themes of disability and the human body. It used movement and live video projections.
• De Gabay (2013): This was an immersive show created by young Welsh-Somali performers in Butetown, Cardiff. It was nominated for a Gulbenkian Prize.
• Mametz (2014): This play was part of a special project about World War I. It turned an old woodland near Usk into a battlefield.
• The Gathering/Yr Helfa (2014): This show explored the yearly life of sheep farming on Snowdon. It was created with National Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke.
• Bordergame (2014): This was an interactive play about migration and borders. It won an award for digital innovation.
• Roald Dahl’s City of the Unexpected (2016): This was a huge celebration of Roald Dahl in Cardiff. Thousands of people performed and volunteered. It was called "Wales’ largest-ever cultural event."
• We’re Still Here (2017): This play was created with people from Port Talbot. It was performed in an old steelworks and won an award.
• NHS70 (2018): This was a series of plays celebrating the NHS. They were performed in small, personal settings all over Wales.
• Tide Whisperer (2018): This immersive show was performed on the shores of Tenby. It explored the global issue of people moving from their homes.
• On Bear Ridge (2019): This play was created with the Royal Court Theatre. It was named one of the top five new plays in the U.K. in 2019.
• Refrain (2019): This was a radio play created for the 58th Venice Biennale art exhibition.
• Mission Control (2019): This was a fantasy musical created with Hijinx Theatre. It was performed at the Millennium Stadium.