Part of the university, Bangor's brand new £50m Pontio boasts a theatre and studio theatre, outdoor performance spaces, a cinema, bars and a restaurant and replaces the closed Theatr Gwynedd.
In the theatre space, Theatr Bryn Terfel, the Welsh-language national theatre of Wales, presents Chwalfa, based on the real life events of the Penrhyn Quarry’s Great strike which took place over three years from 1900.
Based on the novel by T Rowland Hughes, this adaptation by Gareth Miles features a fifty-strong community chorus in addition to a cast of 12.
Presented by Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru in partnership with Pontio and Cwmni’r Frân Wen, Chwalfa (meaning ‘dispersal’ or ‘upheaval’) will be performed in Welsh with non-Welsh speakers able to use the Company's smartphone app, Sibrwd, to hear in their own language during the performance.
The Welsh-speaking cast is made up of Lisa Jên Brown, Sion Emyr, Dyfrig Evans, Mark Flanagan, Robin Griffith, Gwenno Hodgkins, Morfudd Hughes, Elain Lloyd, Ceri Murphy, Emyr Roberts, Rhodri Trefor and Llion Williams.
February's production was due to be seen a year ago but had to be postponed due to delays with the construction work of the centre.
The play's director, artistic director of Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, Arwel Gruffydd, said, “we’re delighted to get rehearsals underway again and it’s fitting that we start that journey towards opening night with the community cast who play such a central role in this large-scale production and who are in fact right at the heart of this story.
"This is an exceptional story that had an enormous impact on the local community and which played a significant part in the history of our nation and in the wider history of the trade union movement.
"As well as taking a heroic stand against exploitation and atrocious working conditions, the quarrymen also gave from their meagre wages to establish Bangor University, so that their children would have a brighter future—so it’s very fitting that this production will be one of the very first events in the great new theatre at the foot of the centre of learning that they built.”
The other inaugural season announcement comes from new artistic director of Theatr Clwyd, Tamara Harvey.
Donmar associate director Robert Hastie directs a cast that includes Desmond Barrit, Gareth David-Lloyd, Catrin Stewart and Andrew Langtree in the opening production, Cat On a Hot Tin Roof.
April de Angelis’s comedy Jumpy then plays the venue to receive its regional première directed by Lisa Spirling.
Phillip Breen directs a Cyrano de Bergerac featuring new Welsh-language poetry by Twm Morys with Steffan Rhodri in the title role.
Visitors to Theatr Clwyd include Filter with Twelfth Night and companies bringing dance and classical music.
Tamara Harvey said, “I’m thrilled to announce my first season as Artistic Director at Theatr Clwyd—one of the most renowned and glorious arts centres in Wales and home to an illustrious roll call of the finest talent in UK theatre.
“It’s an exciting time for us all here at Theatr Clwyd—we look forward to building on Terry Hands’s excellent work, and to securing the company’s long-term future as a vibrant hub for our community and for artists from both near and far during an uncertain time for the arts in the UK.”
Before then, the current season wraps up with Cinderella, Roger Williams's story of gay love Saturday Night Forever and Land of Lights by Tim Webb presented by Oily Cart for 3- to 8-year-olds.
And finally, shows coming up at Rhyl Pavilion: opening on 11 December is Cinderella starring Rhydian Roberts as Prince Charming. High 5's Emma Nowell is his Cinderella with '80s pop star Sonia as her Fairy Godmother.
The Ugly Sisters are played by Jamie Morris and Tarot Joseph and Buttons is Denbigh-born Sean Jones.
In March, Rhyl welcomes James Morrison who brings his UK tour warm-up show for one night only.
Later in March, the divas hit town in Simply the Best Divas. Starring X–Factor finalists Amelia Lily and Niki Evans, the show features the greatest hits of the likes of Madonna, Adele, Cher and many more.
Another X–Factor star, Joe McElderry, stars in the new tour of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which runs at Rhyl from 5 to 9 April. He takes on the title role in January as his first major theatrical performance, previously having taken the lead in a one-off West End gala performance in The Who's Tommy in 2012.
In summary:
- Cinderella, Rhyl Pavilion: 11 December–9 January
- Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Theatr Clwyd: 4 February–5 March then touring to New Theatre, Cardiff 8–12 March and Swansea Grand Theatre 15–19 March
- Simply the Best Divas, Rhyl Pavilion: 23 March
- Jumpy, Theatr Clwyd: 10 March–2 April
- Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Rhyl Pavilion: 5–9 April
- Cyrano De Bergerac, Theatr Clwyd: 14 April–7 May
- Chwalfa, Theatr Bryn Terfel, Pontio: 17–27 February (suitable for ages 11 and over)
For details of post-show discussions, audio described and captioned performances refer to the venue web sites.