Being Chair of a national organisation is no mean feat.

Clive has led NTW through a period of massive change. After an impressive six-year term, it’s now time for us to say goodbye, with some parting words from Lorne:

“It’s been a real pleasure to work with Clive during my 3 years in post; my first week being the very one in which the country was locking down. Here we are now in a relatively post-Covid world - looking at a new season of work for NTW - which is only possible with Clive’s brilliant support and guidance. We thank Clive for everything he’s done and the commitment he’s shown to the company, and wish him all the best.”

We caught up with Clive to find out some of his standout moments from being in post. Here’s what he shared:

'It was “going over the top” from a barn just outside Usk to see a wonderful cast depict the perilous battle Welsh soldiers fought at Mametz in the First World War that truly introduced me to the work of National Theatre Wales.

It was love at first sight.

So, it was impossible to resist when I was asked to join NTWs’ board and become its Chair.

Tenby, Cardiff, the Ebbw and Sirhowy Valley - where I grew up - are my usual haunts. NTW meant I became reacquainted with Rhyl, Wrexham, Aberystwyth, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Laugharne, Swansea, Newport, Carmarthen and Manorbier, among many other places.

Kully Thiarai, our then Artistic Director, even housed Tide Whisperer’s chorus in the cliff-top garden of our house. But it was the beaches, harbour and boats of Tenby that were the attraction to tell her stunning story of the plight of twenty-first-century refugees.

In my time on the Board at NTW, we’ve climbed mountains, discovered forgotten music venues in Powys, and stood in somewhat shabby multi-storey car parks; shopfronts; redundant copper work; medieval castles; rainy city streets, and on harbour walls, and taken to the sea in ships to watch performances. We’ve even sat in the odd theatre seat in Cardiff, Carmarthen and London.

It was at a packed Royal Court Theatre in London that I saw Ed Thomas’ superb On Bear Ridge for the second time after its successful run at the Sherman Theatre. Great play, great writing, great acting… what else can anyone want?

And then there was the endlessly moving Rachel Trezise’s We’re Still Here in the shadow of the mighty Margam Steelworks. Where a steelworker, who had only acted once before in a working men’s club, almost stole the show from a wonderful cast of professional actors.

All that, and the pandemic which forced us online to keep theatre alive. However, it allowed for films like the beautiful FRANK presented by the Jones Collective… poignant, thought-provoking, inventive and ironic. Given we had planned to stage it in a Welsh woodland setting for a live audience until Covid intervened. We survived together and we moved forward.

Be sure not to miss NTWs’ next shows. And look out for a balding chap with white hair, I’ll be there.'

From everyone at NTW, we extend a huge thank you to Clive for all the work, guidance and care he’s brought to the company.