Last night the English-language Welsh National Theatre held it's first performance, with A Good Night Out In The Valleys by Alan Harris playing at Blackwood. The play sold out, and Syniadau notes that we now have two National Theatres, one in each language. We have had the Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru since 2004, but the political will for English-language National Theatre dates back to a 2007 commitment in the One Wales agreement.
It's entirely fitting that Plaid Cymru Ministers have delivered this and that Plaid insisted that this policy be included in One Wales. There is a distinct lack of visibility for Welsh cultural performance in the English-language, across so many formats. The problem is that any culture be it music, drama or art, that is very much Welsh but is in the English language, risks getting lumped in with British culture, or worse is described is "Anglo-Welsh". This Theatre really is something to shout about as it gives an outlet for English-language dramatists and performers to showcase their talent in Wales.
Arts Council Chair Dai Smith notes that unlike other nations such as England and Scotland, Wales does not have a large theatre-going middle-class. And if the Theatre's first production is anything to go by, viewers might expect a drama experience dominated by plays that are not elitist or high-brow and are more gritty, in keeping with Welsh character. This will probably make a huge contribution to the Welsh Government's agenda of opening up the arts for ordinary people to enjoy.
Dai Smith goes further and comments directly on the nation-building potential of the Theatre, as the article reports that he 'doesn't like the expression, but refers to the project as "nation-building" - a natural next step in the process of devolution and an important act of self-expression. He thinks that politicians in Westminster are slow to recognise and respond to what he sees as the future: a federal Britain.'
Devolution is a one way road. There's no going back, and neither is independence inevitable, but looking at the political dynamic there is no way Unionists can avoid federalism in order to preserve the Union. Just over ten years after devolution began we are already on the verge of an enhanced settlement for Wales, and Scotland gaining revenue-raising and fiscal powers, with Scottish independence also on the table. People like devolution, regardless of the results that the political aspect produces. Who in 1999 would have thought that we'd be seeing national theatres for Wales in either language, Plaid Cymru in government and Welsh laws being made for the first time since the medieval period?
In conclusion, the Welsh National Theatre is a wholly promising development, with a boost for careers in our creative industry for Welsh talent, a low level of public funding (just £1m per year) and hopefully a more working-class orientated style of drama. Let it never be said that Plaid Cymru is only looking out for Welsh speakers.
More from the BBC including a video clip here.
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2 comments:
Its been said that that a 'theatre going middle class' is a distinctly British (and perhaps also American) phenomena.
In many other countries people of all social backgrounds can enjoy the theatre.
I suspect that the divide within British culture is down to elitism, snobbery and reverse snobbery/"know our placeism' on behalf of working class peaople.
Incidentally this is not restricted to English speakers, In a local pub a number of Welsh speakers said they wouldnt go to the eisteddfod when it was held locally because 'its not for people like us.'
It would be good if Welsh theatre develops into a more inclusive form that the British one.
I take issue with your suggestion that 'gritty productions' will make theatre more accessible to working class people.
Gritty is a genre which is largely produced by and for the middle classes.
Working class culture largly tends towards a more humourous and comic - even 'feel-good' genres (now largly out of favour with the middle class media establishment.)
This probably largely comes down to working class peoples need to use humour to overcome adversity while 'gritty' productions allow a middle class audience almost to become 'poverty tourists' - watching some of the harsh realities of life from a safe distance for entertainment.
As important as Welsh theatre is to nation building, we must remember that the mass media - TV and newspapers in have a far greater impact - and these have become far less Welsh focussed in the last decade.
Fair enough Welsh Connection, I know very little about theatre and as far as I can remember have never even been to one. I just thought the achievement was significant and one ordinary people will enjoy, if the first performance was anything to go by.
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