A play and workshop for KS2 years 4 – 6.

The Project
This project involves a WHOLE DAY VISIT to Clwyd Theatr Cymru and
includes a new performance and related practical drama workshop.

The Production
Based on a selection of short stories from The Mabinogion

The Workshop
• The practical participatory two-hour drama workshop will use "The Tales from the Mabinogion" to explore the art of story-telling and the techniques of creating environments and communities.
• The workshop is designed to develop drama and communication skills through physical theatre, drama games and improvisations.

THE MABINOGION
(the performance will be based on these particular stories).

CTC TYP presents a new theatrical interpretation of some of the key stories of
the "Tales from the Mabinogion" for Key stage 2, with a specially
commissioned musical score from Musical Director Dyfan Jones and created and
directed by Tim Baker, creator of many projects for KS2 including "Flora's
War" and "The Ballad of Megan Morgan"

When Pwyll, King of the Other World and Prince of Dyfed, disguises himself as a beggar and humiliates the Lord Gwawl at his wedding feast, and then takes
Rhiannon, Gwawl's bride to be, as his own, Gwawl and his friend Llwyd plan
their revenge. In the meantime Rhiannon is accused of murdering her newly
born son and suffers the punishment of carrying visitors to the court on her
back for seven years until her son suddenly appears to a local nobleman and
his wife, who are childless. However they recognise Pwyll's features in the
boy and return him to Pwyll and Rhiannon and they name him Pryderi.

After the death of Pwyll Gwawl and Llwyd cast a spell on the lands of Dyfed
and a strange white boar leads Pryderi and later Rhiannon to a ghostly fort
that turns them into statues within its walls and then vanishes. But when
after many years Manawydan, Pryderi's friend, catches a mouse that is
destroying his crops Llwyd appears suddenly to plead for the life of the
mouse. It turns out that his wife had asked Llwyd to turn her into the mouse
to take further revenge and now she finds herself moments away from
Manawydan's makeshift gallows. The tables are turned and Manawydan is in a
bargaining position. But can he persuade Llwyd to return Pryderi and Rhiannon
and restore the lands and people of Dyfed in exchange for the life of his
wife?

These "Tales from the Mabinogion" are among the treasures of the Welsh
storytelling tradition and as we enter their extraordinary imaginative world
we at the same time become witness to a rich vein of Celtic history.

Comments

A wonderful performance. The children were captivated from beginning to end. They commented on the puppets and the costumes, which they particularly liked, and of course the scary bits and flashing lights.
The staff agreed that it was a superb production, in fact the best we have seen at Theatre Clwyd, or anywhere else for that matter.
It was nice so close to the action and feel part of the play itself. Fabulous!
Taliesin Junior School

A lovely, interesting and lively performance, one of the best performances I have seen. The costumes were lovely and the claw, set and lighting were wonderful. The set was simple but effective and the back cloth was well created with an effective moon. Although informative it was incredibly entertaining.
Brynteg CP

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