Wales Millennium Centre and Frân Wen embark on fulfilling their shared vision of producing a landmark Welsh musical, drawing talent from across Wales for a contemporary reimagining of Branwen, from the ancient mythical tales of the Mabinogion.
Led by a team of three writers, co-creation is at the heart of the production. Hanna Jarman’s previous writing credits include GALWAD (Collective Cymru) Y Teimlad (NYAW) and the S4C comedy drama, Merched Parchus which she created, co-wrote and starred in; Elgan Rhys’s writing credits include Elen Benfelen/Goldilocks and Woof both for Sherman Theatre and he is the Creative Editor and Project Manager of the series Y Pump (Y Lolfa); Seiriol Davies, who is also composer and lyricist, has most recently written Betty: A Sort of Musical (Royal Exchange Manchester), Milky Peaks (Theatr Clwyd & Áine Flanagan Productions) and the acclaimed hit How to Win Against History which opened at the Edinburgh Fringe, becoming the best-reviewed show of that Festival and which then played a sell-out run at London’s Young Vic.
Branwen: Dadeni is directed by Frân Wen’s Artistic Director, Gethin Evans, (Ynys Alys and Faust & Greta for Frân Wen; live performance artistic director for GALWAD) who leads an outstanding team of creative talent from across Wales and beyond. Gethin said:
I’m thrilled to be sharing the news of our brand-new musical with the phenomenal Wales Millennium Centre - a partnership that is key to our development of new work of scale in the Welsh language.
Reimagining the myth of Branwen has been quite the journey, floored in our first workshop by the potential contemporary relevance of a tale we had all heard romanticised as children. Finding the humanity in these myth-like figures to unlock its themes of power, grief, and family with such an incredibly talented creative team is a real privilege.
I look forward to sharing the epic score and heart-wrenching story with audiences in Cardiff, Aberystwyth and Bangor through our strategic touring partners Aberystwyth Arts Centre and Pontio Arts.
Artistic Director of Wales Millennium Centre, Graeme Farrow added:
I’m extremely excited to be working with Frân Wen in this landmark undertaking for Welsh language new writing in this genre, on this scale.
This collaboration is of huge importance to us as we embark on our largest Welsh language production to date, based on a much-loved world-famous Welsh tale, re-told for our times. I can’t wait to see this brilliant adaptation of Branwen, written by Hanna, Elgan and Seiriol, being brought to life on stages across the country, by our wonderful team of Welsh creative talent.
The creative team includes set and costume designer Elin Steele (The Scandal at Mayerling, Dextera and the upcoming Cinderella for Scottish Ballet; A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hero of the People, Woof for Sherman Theatre), lighting designer Bretta Gerecke (Lady in the Dark for Opera Zuid; set & lighting design on Coming to England for Birmingham Rep; set, lighting, costume & projection design on The Invisible for Catalyst Theatre), orchestrator Owain Gruffudd Roberts (leader of contemporary 9-piece Llareggub Brass Band; regular arranger for BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh Pops Orchestra and S4C) and casting director Hannah Marie Williams (The Cost of Living for National Theatre Wales, live and theatre casting for GALWAD).
Branwen: Dadeni opens in Wales Millennium Centre’s Donald Gordon Theatre (8-11 November 2023), travelling to Aberystwyth Arts Centre (15-17 November 2023) and ends in Pontio Arts Centre, Bangor (22-25 November 2023). Find out more.
