Thursday 24th August 2017 – Cardiff #1

A nice lie in this morning before Jill and I and Cate (also staying with Ray and Kath) went for a walk down to the sea. One would normally say beach but there is no beach here only stones and they're all covered this morning as the tide is very high. We are staying in Rhoose which is just on the Western side of Cardiff on the sea. There's quite a large caravan park with lots of relocatables that can be purchased.  Back "home" for a delicious breakfast of fruit and toast before we all drove into the village for a coffee.

From here Kath, Cate, Jill and I went for a walk along the coast. Quite a little forest with signs hanging up “Beware of Snakes”. We didn't see any but we did see lots of blackberries which we picked for sweets one night. At the end of our walk, we found the Blue Anchor Inn, a very old and cute pub with very low doors. Just amazing.

Ray picked us up at the pub because after a quick shower he and I had to head into Cardiff to Chapter Arts (the home of Everyman Theatre) for some technical meetings before tonight’s meeting of the two groups.

Chapter Arts, Cardiff

In addition to being the home of Everyman Theatre Company, Chapter hosts films, plays, performance art and live music, and includes a free art gallery, café and bars. There are also over 60 workspaces, used for an eclectic range of purposes including Chapter's own training courses.

This evening we had a very pleasant meeting on the two “camps” followed by a supper put on by the Welsh contingent. Fortunately, we all seem to get along with one another.

Friday 25th August – Cardiff #2

Today we are all meeting down at Cardiff Harbour for a nice walk across the Barrage before lunch so there was plenty of time for another sleep in.  One could get used to this.

Cardiff Bay is the area of water created by the Cardiff Barrage in south Cardiff. The creation of the Bay is now widely regarded as one of the most successful regeneration projects in the United Kingdom. The Bay is supplied by two rivers (Taff and Ely) to form a 2.0 km2 freshwater lake around the former dockland area south of the city centre. The Bay was formerly tidal, with access to the sea limited to a couple of hours each side of high water but now provides 24-hour access through three locks.

It's a very pretty spot and we all had an enjoyable day. Even found a tribute to Scott and his ill-fated trip to the Antarctic.

Saturday 26th August – Cardiff #3

We started rehearsals today. Act 1 at 10 this morning and Act II at 6:30pm. The two casts have melded very well and we have a great show. Lots of little differences in the two rehearsals but all is going well.

During the break, we had lunch at Chapter Arts (excellent choice of food) and some of the crew went off to a football match at the Stadium. Cate Jill and I had a walk into Cardiff City. A lovely park near the Castle where there had been a Pride March earlier in the day – so some unusually dressed people wandering around. We had a coffee in one of the arcades. Lots of pedestrian ways in the city which is wonderful. Located a UK sim for Jill's phone and then walked back to Chapter for the evening session.

 

Sunday 27th August - Cardiff #4

Rehearsal again this morning before heading into the valleys for the Gwyl Ynysybwl Festival.  The festival began in 2013 to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the closure of the Lady Windsor Colliery and is based on the traditional Miners Gala.  It was intended as a one-off event, however, due to its huge success, it has now been held annually.

 It was a lovely drive up through the valleys and through what would have once been mining villages.  Once again it is impressive how this part of Wales has reinvented itself after the closure of the collieries.

Monday 28th August – Cardiff #5

Today we went for a walk to Garth Mountain led by Geraint and Chris. We're not sure how long the walk was but my watch said 12,000 steps and it took 2½ hours, so quite a way.

The trail was quite varied - through bush, beside a mossy creek, through a little village, then up a bracken-covered hill to the top where there was a burial mound.  The story goes that this was just a hill (not quite tall enough to be a mountain) until the village folk piled earth on top to make it high enough to be a mountain.

Down the other side, we visited the G waelod Inn for lunch.  We were met by Barbara who is a sponsor of Everyman Theatre and were made feel most welcome.  Lunch was delicious and we even tasted lava bread which isn't really bread at all, being made with seaweed and oats.

Jill and Kate went back to Geraint and Chris's place for a rest while Alex went off to Chapter to help put up the sails ready for an evening rehearsal

Tuesday 29th August – Cardiff #6

Jill and I managed a short walk this morning.  Headed for the sea but it was all overcast and started sprinkling so thought we had better turn around.

Off to Chapter again at 9am for rehearsal.  This will be our first rehearsal with the full "International" cast as Max the last of the Australians, Max, has now joined us.

After lunch today the cast and crew of Do Not Go Gentle were invited to a reception at the Mansion House by the Lord Mayor of Cardiff,  Bob Derbyshire.

The Lord Mayor spoke of the relevance of the play Do Not Go Gentle being produced jointly by both companies in addressing aging in both communities. In reply Gregory Aitken of the Drill Hall Theatre Company spoke of the Welsh influence in Patricia Cornelius' play beginning with the title being borrowed from the Dylan Thomas poem and some poetic rhythms in the play that have the flavour of Under Milk Wood. The Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott who left Cardiff on his ill-fated expedition in 1912 is also pivotal to the plays narrative.

It was a very pleasant afternoon and we even got a guided tour of the Mansion House.

Wednesday 30st August – Cardiff #7 (and Swansea)

Jill, Cate and I had a day off from rehearsals today so we decided to drive to Swansea and the Mumbles (a popular seaside area near Swansea). It was interesting as towns and locations in this area feature in a Dylan Thomas piece that we did with Ray and Kath a few years ago – including a coffee break at Port Albert (pronounced over here as por-talbot). Later when we mentioned that we had called into Port Albert most of the locals said something along the lines of “Why would you want to go there”. We actually found it quite pleasant along the promenade although we would have to admit not quite up to the standard of the Mumbles.

Mumbles is a bit more "Gentrified".  We had a lovely walk out along its historical pier (in the throws of renovation) and spent some time at the Life Guard shed where we had quite an interesting talk to one of the lifeguards. He explained how they operated – launched the life Guard boat etc. Quite an operation. Their need for volunteers in this area is similar to ours with the rural fire service.

 

If we had time we were going to visit the Dylan Thomas museum, but no time today as we had promised to cook dinner for Ray and Kath this evening.

Was a pleasant day out.

Thursday 31st August – Cardiff #8

As everyone is exhausted, (the Cardiff cast were rehearsing yesterday for their shows after we leave), Ray decided to not start rehearsals until 2pm.  It meant a nice slow, relaxing morning after a sleep in until 9:30 or so.

Did some washing and made some soup before heading off once again to Chapter Arts for an afternoon rehearsal.

The centre is quite a huge complex with a large open eating area with tables and chairs, cafe and bar, in addition to a number of cinemas and theatres among other things.  Everyman Theatre Company has a base, a club room (which is not very big) where they rehearse before performing in the theatre.

Apparently, the complex used to be a girls school.

Friday 1st September – Cardiff #9

For this morning's walk we headed the other way - East along the coast, past caravan parking areas,  through blackberries, fields, bush (although I don't think they call it bush in wales - well they call it bush at least) and then across the railway line and back through Roose (Rhws is Welsh!!).  Back to Ray and Kath's for breakfast - egg, mushrooms, garlic and wilted baby spinach.

We had heard that there were 12 Op Shops (here called Charity Shops) in Barry just down the road so we had to investigate.  Cate found a white cotton shirt but Jill and I left empty handed - we only had time for 4 shops.  Found a cute tea room upstairs.

It was then time for rehearsal so off to Chapter we went.

Saturday 2nd August – Cardiff #10 (and the Brecon Beacons)

Today Cate, Julianne, Jill and I have all been invited to visit friends of Ray and Kath, Chris and Vanessa Bond who live at Hirwaun at the base of the Brecon Beacon Mountains about 70km north of Rhoose. This meant a drive up the valleys past where the Music Festival was last Sunday. There is a lot of lovely country in this area of Wales. Hard to believe it was all coal mines not so many years ago.

One of the reasons for the visit was that Cate had on her “wish list” a horse ride in the Welsh Countryside. This was fulfilled thanks to Chris and Vanessa's daughters Steph and Victoria.

While they went riding, Chris took the rest of us on a drive through the Brecon Beacons. First stop was Sgwd Clun-gwyn falls one of a number of falls in an area called Waterfall Country.

 We had a lovely walk into the falls and back before heading on to the village of Ystradfellte where we had a look at the 12th century St Mary's church (a beautiful building and some equally beautiful old spruce trees in the grounds.)

 After coffee at the very cute The New Inn (which is actually very old), we headed north through the Brecon Beacons to the Visitor Centre north of the mountains. At one stage we crossed a high pass with a very steep and windy road down the other side. We passed a number of cyclists who had actually ridden up the mountain. We were impressed.

Visiting the Brecon Beacons Information Centre brought back memories of our 2011 European visit where we visited from the east after having spent the night in Abbergavenny.  No time for walks this time around. Chris had a special spot for lunch lined up in Brecon but unfortunately, there was a wedding on and no room for extras. We had to settle for second best with lunch at a pub in town.

It was then back through the Beacons to Hirwaun, mostly through moor country. Lots of sheep along and on the road and a few Welsh ponies.

Kate had had a good time on her ride and after a cup of tea we hit the road back to Rhoose

Sunday 3rd September – Cardiff #11 Get In

Bump in Day today (or as they say here Get In).

The set designers have been very busy preparing the "Ice Field" for the production and today is the day we all move into the theatre to set up ready for Opening Night on Tuesday.

The set designers have been very busy preparing the "Ice Field" for the production and today is the day we all move into the theatre to set up ready for Opening Night tomorrow night.

Lots of lifting and carting of the set from Everyman's rehearsal space up to the theatre which is on the first floor.  Quite an exercise.

At least we don't have to set the lights.  They have a professional over here to do all that.

A quick break for dinner and then it was first dress rehearsal time

Monday 4th September – Cardiff #12 Final Dress Rehearsal

This morning we visited Owen and Julie's cottage that they are staying in for the duration of "Do Not Go Gentle".  It's in an old monastery that has had part of it done up for accommodation - the stables actually.  Apparently, the monastery dates back to the 6th Century.  It's a cute little cottage with a very clever staircase leading to a tiny low sleeping loft.  Owen and Julie have family that live quite close and the grandchildren have been sleeping in the loft while visiting.

Back to Ray and Kath's briefly before setting off once again for Chapter.  Final Dress Rehearsal tonight.

Tuesday 5th September – Cardiff #13 Performance 1

Opening Night Tonight

A report from Greg Aitken

"6pm opening night in the Chapter Theatre Cardiff.  Everyman and the Drill Hall Theatre have reached a major objective, two years of planning and metaphorically we have reached our South Pole. This is only the second production of this wonderful play, Do Not Go Gentle.
Pleasant greetings between cast and crew reciprocated. We are all quite close. The production has enveloped us. We rehearse, perhaps optimistically, the curtain call. Ray, the director is tense. We are all tense. Even the verbose among us are subdued. Bookings are light. Hopefully a lot of walk-ups. Actors rehearse lines. Interruptions. Beginners. Standing in the wings we listen to the opening scenes. I retire to the dressing room and listen to the play via the backstage speaker. A blistering pace by the Welsh actors. I cannot pick up any reaction from the modest audience. It's like listening to a radio play.

Geraint as Scott is powering. Rosy as Wilson is in good vocal form. Arnold returns to the dressing room with damp eyes from his beautiful scene with Cate. Interval. Polite applause from the few. Owen Trevor-Jones is lashing himself for dropping a line. It's all right Owen says the actor who covered for him. I put my pen down to prepare for my walk-on part.

The applause at the curtain call is genuine. Satisfied and relieved we take off our costumes. Ray enters the room. Glowing. Apparently, we have done well. Off to the bar where I meet and chat with some of the audience.

First, Xenia and Graeme who are having their date night. Xenia, "the show is very emotional. The subject matter relates to people I know, my grandparents, in fact. The characters reveal a great deal of compassion even heroism. I believed in the portrayal by the actors".

Graeme," It's a very good show. The play is easy to follow from the ice to the aged care facility. The lighting and staging is excellent. I liked that the play is from Scott's perspective."

Comments from other audience members.
"The chemistry on stage was amazing."
"Great performances."
"Great show, off to a superb start."
"I cried."
"Poignant. Very thought provoking."
"I was killing myself laughing."

Wednesday 6th September – Cardiff #14 Performance 2, St Faggans

St Fagans National Museum of History, commonly referred to as St Fagans after the village where it is located, is an open-air museum in Cardiff chronicling the historical lifestyle, culture, and architecture of the Welsh people. The museum is part of the wider network of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales. It consists of more than forty re-erected buildings from various locations in Wales, and is set in the grounds of St Fagans Castle, an Elizabethan manor house. In 2011 Which? magazine named the museum the United Kingdom's favourite visitor attraction.

A redeveloped main reception building named Gweithdy was opened in July 2017 and is quite impressive.

The museum includes more than forty buildings which represent the architecture of Wales, including a nonconformist chapel (in this case, Unitarian), a village schoolhouse, a Toll road tollbooth, a cockpit, a pigsty, and a tannery.

 The museum holds displays of traditional crafts with a working blacksmith forge, a pottery, a weaver, miller, and clog maker. It also includes two working water mills: one flour mill and one wool mill. Part of the site includes a small working farm which concentrates on preserving local Welsh native breeds of livestock. Produce from the museum's bakery and flour mill is available for sale.

The medieval parish church of Saint Teilo, formerly at Llandeilo Tal-y-bont in west Glamorgan (restored to its pre-Reformation state), was opened in October 2007 by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. A Tudor merchant's house from Haverfordwest, opened in 2012, is the latest building to be added to the museum's collection. Future plans include the relocation of the historic Vulcan public house from Newtown in Cardiff.

Although the museum was intended to preserve aspects of Welsh rural life, it now includes several buildings that depict the industrial working life that succeeded it, that being almost extinct in Wales. There is a row of workers' cottages, depicting furnishing from 1800 to 1985, from Rhyd-y-car near Merthyr Tydfil, as well as the pristine Oakdale Workmen's Institute. Even a post-war prefabricated bungalow has been erected on the grounds.

Since 1996 the museum has hosted the Everyman Summer Theatre Festival when it re-located from Dyffryn Gardens. This festival, which includes a Shakespeare play, a Musical, and a Children's Show has become part of Welsh theatrical calendar since its founding at Dyffryn in 1983.

Off to the Plymoth Arms Pub for lunch before heading back to Rhoose for a rest before Performance number 2 at Chapter Arts