Graduates share creative talents

(left to right): Miriam Elin Jones; Gruffudd Owen and Naomi Nicholas, members of the New Playwrights’ Group

Three Aberystwyth University graduates have been selected to be part of a new national scheme to develop writing for the stage.

Gruffudd Owen, Miriam Elin Jones and Naomi Nicholas, members of the New Playwrights’ Group will go on tour around Wales with ‘Theatr Gen Creu ar Daith: Pwy ‘Sgrifennodd Honna?’ and present rehearsed readings of new plays.

They are amongst 8 new writers who will present a reading of their new plays, and the culmination of 10 months of writing and developing their craft.

Miriam will present ‘Nyts, Nagy’yn Ni?’ (Nuts, aren’t they?) and Naomi will present ‘Wyau’ (Eggs) at Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Wednesday 19 June 2019 at 19:30.

Miriam, who has completed a PhD on science fiction literature at the Department of Welsh at Aberystwyth University, has been working with BBC Cymru Fyw’s journalistic team in Cardiff and is about to face a new challenge as a translator with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.

Miriam said: “Returning to Aber to watch my play being performed will be a strange experience, especially as I often visited the Arts Centre to watch other plays as a student.”

“During my time at Aberystwyth, I followed a module on Writing Drama led by Branwen Davies (a highly respected dramatist) in the Department of Theatr, Film and Television Studies, and I’m ever so grateful for her encouragement as I have continued to script and write prose.”

Naomi graduated in 2017 in Welsh and Drama and now teaches Welsh and Drama at Ysgol y Preseli, Pembrokeshire.

Naomi said: “During my time as a student in Aberystwyth I loved the ‘Year Ticket’ – a ticket we paid for that enabled us to watch most shows and plays that came to the Arts Centre – and reviewing on behalf of ‘Aber Critics’. I am so grateful to the Department of Welsh and the Department of Drama, Film and Television for every opportunity, and for encouraging me to develop my writing. Hearing my own words on stage for the first time will be a special experience I’m sure, but until then – butterflies!”

‘Nyts, Nagy’yn Ni?’ and ‘Wyau’ can also be seen at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli on Tuesday 18 June at 19:30.

Parti Priodas by Gruffudd Owen, the new Welsh-language Children’s Laureate, will be performed at the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff on Wednesday 12 June 2019 at 19:30 and at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff on Wednesday 3 July 2019 at 19:00.

The summer tour will visit 6 venues across Wales in June and July 2019.

Tour details, and further information about the plays, the cast and directors can be seen on Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s website.

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