Ground-breaking Flintshire drama project highlighting the perils of climate change wins top award.

A ground-breaking drama project in Flintshire highlighting the perils of climate change has won a top award.

Mold’s Theatr Clwyd was honoured at the star-studded online Arts & Business Cymru Awards ceremony which included guests from as far afield as Los Angeles and Australia.

The project, which involved young people from the age of 12 and adults, was funded by Natural Resource Wales.

It was recognised with the Arts, Business & the Environment, sponsored by The Waterloo Foundation and University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

Theatr Clwyd’s Director of Creative Engagement, Gwennan Mair, said: “We worked on the project with Natural Resources Wales as we already have a strong working relationship involving various projects and ideas.

“We took 10 of our community groups, all Flintshire-based and made up of young people aged 12 to 17 as well as adults, the eldest being in their 80s, up to Coed Moel Famau to create a show based on environmental issues.

“We then put it all together into a performance in Theatr Clwyd’s Studio 2 using what we found in the woods to make costumes and props.

“The show was entitled Dim Teitl (No Title) and was an unscripted performance incorporating theatre, song, music and dance themed around environmental issues.

“In looking at issues such as climate change and the urgent need to care for the planet we realised we had so many places to go right on our doorstep.

“We brought things back from the woods, branches, leaves and vegetation that were on the ground, so we didn’t damage trees or harm wildlife, that we could use in our performance. We even used litter such as discarded plastic drink bottles.

“What our groups produced was an immersive piece of theatre with everyone fully engaged and involved. I’m very proud of what we produced. It was the groups that devised the show.

“There was no specific story but rather it was an abstract piece of theatre that clearly showed, through the medium of song and dance, how angry young people are about climate change. This was about their voice and their feelings.

“In fact, while we were at Coed Moel Famau some of the members of the group decided to carry out an impromptu litter pick. It was so special to see how seriously our young people take environmental issues.”

Gwennan added: “Theatr Clwyd continues building a strong relationship with Natural Resources Wales. I’m always keen to explore with them what works and how we can create new theatre.

“We worked together on a previous interactive performance in which the audience came with us on a journey through the woods to discovering different animal characters on the way.

“I’m delighted Theatr Clwyd has won this Arts, Business and Environment Award which was sponsored by The Waterloo Foundation and the University of Wales Trinity St David.

“It’s been something of a relief in what has been a difficult year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. I can’t wait to get back to Theatr Clwyd proper although we continue to remotely grow our community involvement.

“We are running daily online workshops including dance, drama and music and involving more than 1,000 people a week. And that figure continues to grow.”

Arts & Business Cymru’s Chief Executive Rachel Jones says the annual awards ceremony is the highlight of their calendar.

She said: “Despite the pandemic we couldn’t let 2020 pass without recognising all the incredible business and arts partnerships which exist in such abundance across Wales.

“The decision to take the ceremony online was made possible by the incredible and staunch support of our sponsors and the long established partnership we have developed with Orchard Media & Events.

“For over a quarter of a century, the Awards have encouraged, acknowledged and celebrated exemplary and innovative partnerships between the private sector and the arts that benefit communities across the country. “

As part of the ceremony, a range of celebrities gave messages of support during the evening and announced the winners of the various Awards.

They included actors Rakie Ayola, Rhys Ifans, Mark Lewis Jones, Suzanne Packer.

The Awards can be viewed at www.abcymruawards.com and Arts & Business Cymru can be contacted at contactus@aandbcymru.org.uk