National Theatre Wales

At the Edinburgh Festival

THE DARK PHILOSOPHERS TOUR

August 2011

Based on the works of Gwyn Thomas
A co-production with TOLD BY AN IDIOT

Directed by
PAUL HUNTER

Written by
CARL GROSE & THE COMPANY

Designed by
ANGELA DAVIES

Lighting by
CERI JAMES

Music composed and directed by
IAIN JOHNSTONE

About the production

In August 2011 National Theatre Wales and Told by an Idiot revived The Dark Philosophers, one the NTW's inaugural year shows, venturing outside of Wales for the very first time.

Inspired by the dark comedic style of Gwyn Thomas, this adaptation brought out the bleak, wild humour in tales laced with sex, murder and Thomas' devastating Valleys wit. Fist fights, murderous plots, raucous nights out, and something lurking in the cabbage patch, all strung together by the backdrop of Angela Davies' design.

The show won critical acclaim during the sell-out festival run.

What the critics said

British Theatre Guide ****
“NTW have hit the ground running with this memorable debut”
Read the full review here

Fest *****
“this whole production by Told By An Idiot and National Theatre Wales is a triumph”
Read the full review here

Fringe Review *****
“it’s a rollercoaster ride and an absolute scream”
Read the full review here

Metro ****
“wickedly funny”

Public Reviews ****
“this is a blast of a production and can’t fail to bring a smile to your face”
Read the full review here

The Herald ****

The Scotsman ****
“a hugely theatrical and deeply enjoyable Scottish stage debut by… National Theatre Wales”

Total Theatre
“as sharp and sparky an ensemble as you are likely to find anywhere”
Read the full review here

The List ****
“shines a light on a Welsh diamond”
Read the full review here

Edinburgh Guide *****
"Without a shadow of a doubt, the best thing I have seen in the Fringe this year. No, the best thing I have seen this year.”

Edinburgh Evening News ****

Sunday Times ****

Sunday Telegraph ****

Evening Standard ****
Read the full review here

Three Weeks ****
"Bewitching"

Trailer

National Theatre Wales and Told by an Idiot present their critically-acclaimed celebration of Gwyn Thomas - one of the most distinctive Welsh voices of the last century. Using Told by an Idiot's trademark anarchic physicality and inventive storytelling, this adaptation brings out the bleak, wild humour in tales laced with sex, murder and Thomas' devastating Valleys wit. Expect fist fights, murderous plots, raucous nights out, and something lurking in the cabbage patch...

Taking inspiration from Tomas' ink-black comic tales, The Dark Philosophers is a funny, violent and passionate depiction of a community teetering on the brink of humanity.

Production Photography

Photographer: Richard Campbell

Taking inspiration from Tomas' ink-black comic tales, The Dark Philosophers is a funny, violent and passionate depiction of a community teetering on the brink of humanity.

View a slideshow of production images to the right.

Cast
(In alphabetical order)
DAVID CHARLES
NIA DAVIES
NIA GWYNNE
RYAN HACKER
DANIEL HAWKSFORD
BETTRYS JONES
MATTHEW OWEN
GLYN PRITCHARD

Adapted by
CARL GROSE

From the stories of
GWYN THOMAS