Avant Cymru is bringing back to Pontypridd its First World War show Forget Me Not as part of the Armistice Day commemorations, marking 100 years since the end of World War 1
The company has worked with communities in Pontypridd and the Rhondda Valley to research and discover the stories from World War I – particularly about the effect it had on the people who left for the war, and the people who were left behind.
The theatrical promenade experience will be performed at 2:30pm and 7:30pm at Pontypridd Museum, 8th – 10th November 2018. Tickets are priced £10 and £8, and can be purchased from the Avant Cymru website –www.avant.cymru.
The production was originally performed in January 2018.
Artistic Director of Avant Cymru, and Director of Forget Me Not, Rachel Pedley said, “Knowing that it’s the centenary of the last year of World War I, we wanted to mark what the people of the Valleys contributed at home and on the front-line. Research was a really important. Part of this, and so working with Glamorgan Archives, Pontypridd Museum and local people was crucial to make sure we found the facts and stories that remember the contribution from Valleys residents.
“We’ve been so inspired by what we’ve found – letters were an important form of communication, and this will play a big part in the storyline. Real words from actual soldiers have inspired the dialogue, and the storyline has been influenced through people’s experiences in trench life, the chapel and at home – the audience will get to be part of this through our exciting and interactive approach. “
The cast includes Daniel Rochford – originally from Pontypridd, Daniel was in S4C and BBC’s Hinterland / Y Gwyll, and appears regularly as Ifan Harri-Parri in The Harri-Parris Radio Show on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio 4.
The company said it is particularly excited to bring this production to Pontypridd, a town rich in artistic history but now lacking when it comes to new, exciting and risky theatre and that the town has shown its support through Pontypridd Town Council and Your Pontypridd, alongside Park & Dare Theatre and RCT Council.
The project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council