National Theatre Wales

In The Valleys

A Good Night Out in the Valleys

March 2010

Written by
ALAN HARRIS

Directed by
JOHN E MCGRATH

Designed by
ANGELA DAVIES

Lighting by
CERI JAMES

Cast
BOYD CLACK, SHARON MORGAN, SIWAN MORRIS, HUW RHYS, AMY STARLING, OLIVER WOOD

Tour information

In March 2010, National Theatre Wales took to the south Wales valleys with their debut production, A Good Night Out in the Valleys.

The sell out show opened in Blackwood Miners Institute on March 11, before going on tour to Blaengarw Workmen's Hall, Pontardawe Arts centre, Bedwas Workman's Hall and ending at the Coliseum in Aberdare.

A cast of six actors – all originally from the Valleys – played around six characters each ranging from 'Stute manager to children, a 115 year old woman and a polish cake factory worker.

The cast included Boyd Clack, Sharon Morgan, Siwan Morris, Huw Rhys, Amy Starling and Oliver Wood. Written by Alan Harris and directed by John E McGrath the show also invited local bands to play a part in an evening filled with live music, bingo, a raffle and theatre.

An active online community followed the show, ranging from blogs, to images, discussions and more. To read more please click here

Production sponsors:
Western Power Distribution

Community

Multi-Tasking, Isn't It?

One of my favourite details in Alan Harris's play, A Good Night Out in the Valleys (Go as You Please… by John McGrath

And here comes the fear.....

Hello blog peeps. Ok, so I know that by now you are all used to the comedy blogging genius of Mr Boy… by Amy Starling

What the critics said

The Daily Telegraph ****
"National Theatre Wales gets off to a strong start... the show is blessed with great generosity of spirit – and some terrific jokes."
Read the full review here

The Times ****
"NTW proves that it can attract fine actors — and that it clearly means to take a hard look at Wales and the Welsh as well as to celebrate them."
Read the full review here

The Stage
"What a debut production it proves to be... Make no mistake - a first class start to this long overdue venture has been made."
Read the full review here

The Daily Mail
'National Theatre Wales... could not have hoped for a stronger launch production.'
Read the full review here

British Theatre Guide
"This is a triumphant piece of work: hugely entertaining, masterfully written, and with pitch-perfect direction from John McGrath and an astounding cast. A great night out, not to be missed."
Read the full review here

The Independent
"it offers a good night out in the valleys (there’s a band, bingo, likeably icky gags from a has-been compere)
Read the full review here

Buzz****
"with first-rate acting from Boyd Clack and Siwan Morris, and excellent production values, this populist comedy is a fitting start for the organisation."
Read the full review here

Video archive

An online archive of video accompanied 'A Good Night Out in the Valleys', including interviews with the cast, director, behind the scenes technical staff, trailers and more. Use the video player here to view more.

Production Photography

Photographer: Jon Poutney

“It's Saturday night at the Stute; beer, the band, bingo, a raffle, Prior Bad Bang's had a few too many to drink and won't keep his hands off Sue, Dirty Karen's making eyes at Shwni, Kyle arrives believing
he's going to make things better and Con knows his time is up.”

In a brand new production from National Theatre Wales, Valleys lives collide in a village under threat, a community stuck in the past but yearning for a future.

Programme

A 12 page newspaper style programme accompanied A Good Night Out in the Valleys, with question and answers with cast, creatives and more. You can read the digital version here

Creative Team

Writer
ALAN HARRIS

Director
JOHN E McGRATH

Designer
ANGELA DAVIES

Lighting Designer
CERI JAMES

Musical Director
DAN LAWRENCE

Sound Designer
MIKE BEER

AV Designer
SIMON CLODE

Emerging Director
ROSS LEADBEATER

Fight Director
ANDREW ASHENDEN

Wardrobe Supervisor
ALLIE SAUNDERS

Wardrobe Assistant
ANGHARAD MATTHEWS

Production Manager
ELLIE CARTER

Deputy Stage Manager
Sarah Thomas

Assistant Stage Manager
CORDELLIA ASHWELL

Production Lighting Technician
TOM REILLY

Head if Stage
DAN McGAVIN

Technical Assistant
OLIVER JOHNSON

Rehearsal ASM
SARAH MORGAN

Production Volunteer
HANNAH BEVAN

Polish Translator & Tutor
GRAAZYNA BLOCHWIAK

Local bands that joined us for a good night out

4th Street Traffic
www.myspace.com/4thstreettraffic
Blackwood Miners Institute - Thursday 11th & Friday 12th March

La Fiasco
www.myspace.com/lafiasco
Pontardawe Arts Centre - Thursday 18th & Friday 19th March

Helter Skelter
Bedwas Workman’s Hall - Thursday 23rd March

The Stokers
Coliseum - Friday 26th & Saturday 27th March

You can keep in touch with the cast, creative team, and bands at nationaltheatrewales.org/community

Bill Thomas, Caretaker, Bedwas Workman’s Hall

‘I’ve been caretaker here since around 1985. I’ve seen a lot over the years. There’s history and nostalgia attached to this place. Memorable things have gone on in this hall. Young people from all over the world have been here. I have it all in the visitor’s book. People have come from everywhere: Sardinia, Italy, Lithuania, Holland – all over the place for International Youth peace week – from Israel, Palestine, everywhere, and Wales, of course. We’ve had Syd Lawrence on this stage and his orchestra and I believe Maria Callas sang here. Apparently they had their own orchestra; the orchestra pit is there. They had their own opera company. Paul Robeson sat there, not in these seats, but visited here and got involved with the miners. There’s been many a good night out here.’