The Stage

Wales plans boost to English language theatre

Published Tuesday 16 May 2006 at 13:10 by Nuala Calvi

Welsh arts chiefs are discussing plans to set up an organisation based on the National Theatre of Scotland model, to generate more large-scale English language productions and halt the drift of talent across the border.

The Arts Council of Wales plans to use a £500,000 cash injection announced by culture minister Alun Pugh to encourage companies such as Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Sherman Theatre Company, Sgript Cymru and Torch Theatre to collaborate on major co-productions which could tour Wales and the rest of the UK.

ACW’s senior arts development officer Sandra Wynne told The Stage: “We are very much looking at the same sort of pattern as Scotland but before we think about setting up a national theatre we need to make sure what we’ve got in Wales is strong.

“A lot of the problem has been the lack of investment and as a result there is very little being produced. There are a lot of people who’ve left Wales to make their careers and it would be really great to offer opportunities to allow them to come back.”

While the money is unlikely to be enough to establish a national English language theatre company as such, it will be used to bolster existing companies and set up a central producing organisation to help them form new partnerships.

It is hoped well-known Welsh performers such as Jonathan Pryce, Sian Phillips and Rhys Ifans will then be tempted to return to the country to take part in high-profile productions.

The Sherman Theatre is already set to merge with Sgript Cymru and its building is to be refurbished, creating an enhanced production base in Cardiff.

Announcing the extra money, Pugh said: “We have had a designated national performing theatre company ever since the arts council in 1998 awarded that status to Clwyd Theatr Cymru. But in south Wales particularly, there isn’t nearly enough product.

“Many of the ingredients are present. We have production capacity in Swansea, and we have seen physical improvements in Cardiff. This additional investment will make a substantial improvement in the quantity and quality of work appearing on Welsh stages. I have asked ACW to provide me with advice and recommendations in good time ahead of the money coming on stream next year.”