Arfon Haines Davies and Nicola Heywood Thomas
The winners
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The winners of the Wales Theatre Awards 2016 have been announced at an awards evening at Sherman Cymru in Cardiff (SAT JAN 30).
The special achievement award was presented to Jessica Cohen and Jim Ennis whose company Earthfall celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. The Cardiff-based company has been at the cutting edge of physical performance with their collection of awards also now including this year’s Wales Theatre Awards Best Dance Award for Stories from a Crowded Room.
Jim Ennis and Jessica Cohen
In what was often an emotional as well as times hilarious night of celebration with Wales performing arts community sharing their own and colleagues’ successes there were big wins for Welsh National Opera, Cardiff’s new pub theatre venue The Other Room and the director Kate Wasserberg.
Kate Wasserberg
This year also saw a new Audience Award which from the day it was launched was led by the hugely popular one-man show Grav from Torch Theatre Company in Milford Haven.
Owen Thomas and Gareth John Bale
Wales Theatre Awards director Mike Smith said, “Voting for Grav demonstrated how this one-man show really connected with audiences when it toured Wales. The award was received by the show’s writer Owen Thomas and the actor Gareth John Bale. Grav tells the story of the late Welsh rugby legend Ray Gravell.”
Mike Smith added, “It has been a particularly successful year for the Welsh capital’s new pub theatre The Other Room with actors, writers and directors appearing in several categories. Best Actor English Language, Christian Patterson, Best Playwright in English Language, Alun Saunders and Best Director Kate Wasserberg won their awards for work at The Other Room.”
Christian Patterson
The Dying of Today team
Alun Saunders
All three opera awards were won by Welsh National Opera and the Best Sound Award was won by Welsh National Opera’s Musical Director Lothar Koenigs for his conducting of Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande. Best Male Singer was won by Christopher Purves in Pelléas et Mélisande, Best Female Singer was won by Rosa Feola in I Puritani and the Best Opera Production Award was won by David Pountney for Pelléas et Mélisande.
Nick Capaldi and David Pountney
Jamies Rees and David Pountney
These awards recognise excellence in theatre, dance and opera created and presented in Wales between December 2014 and November 2015. The nominations are made by critics throughout Wales.
This year there were nominations from 34 critics throughout Wales across genres and media platforms, totalling 593 individual nominations, comprising 334 performers, creative staff (directors, technicians, designers and playwrights) and shows, in English and in Welsh.
The Awards are made possible thanks to the work of the judges who painstakingly assess all of the nominations to choose the shortlists and then overall winners, and the generous sponsorship from arts organisations, venues and individuals.
This sponsorship also enables the Wales Critics Fund to give financial support to freelance and young critics to attend performances across the nation. In its first year the Fund has supported more than 200 reviews across Wales.
As well as receiving the coveted engraved slate award, this year we have also been joined by the Royal Mint by presenting each winner with a commemorative edition of coins in this the 400th year of the death of William Shakespeare.
The audience was entertained with an extract from I Loved You and I Loved You, choreographed by Sally Marie of Sweetshop Revolution, supported by Coreo Cymru who commissioned the work in 2015 and soprano Angharad Morgan, accompanied by Rhiannon Pritchard, singing Quando m’en vo, from Puccini’s La Boheme which she will sing with Swansea City Opera this spring.
Sweetshop Revolution
Angharad Morgan
The evening was brought to a rousing finale by singers from the MA Opera course at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, and graduate Nicola Rose, piano, performing the Fugue from Verdi’s Falstaff
MA Opera course students
Holly McCarthy
Gwyn Emberton
Eddie Ladd
Llyr Titus
Rhodri Ifan
Taking Flight
Betsan Llwyd
Earthfall
All shortlists and winners:
BEST SHOW FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Y SIOE ORAU AR GYFER PLANT A PHOBOL IFANC
Real Human Being, Taking Flight Theatre Company in partnership with / mewn partneriaeth â Disability Arts Cymru / Celfyddydau Anabledd Cymru
Oes Rhaid I Mi Ddeffro? Cwmni Theatr Arad Goch
Mimosa, Theatr Clwyd – Theatre For Young People / Theatr ar gyfer Pobl Ifanc
Arabian Nights, Sherman Cymru
Winner: Arabian Nights, Sherman Cymru
QUOTE: Sherman Cymru has a winter hit on its hands. That at least is the verdict of the audience on the performance after the first night. A ten-thirty-in-the-morning show to a packed house from three Cardiff schools is the real thing. If they whoop and cheer at the end of their two-hour journey across four of Schehezerade’s one thousand and one stories that is because they mean it.
BEST SOUND / SAIN GORAU
Branwen Munn, Yuri, August O12, co-production with / cydgynhyrchiad gyda Chapter
Lothar Koenigs, Pelléas et Mélisande, Welsh National Opera / Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru
Y Pencadlys, Dawns Ysbrydion, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru mewn partneriaeth â Galeri Caernarfon / in partnership with Galeri Caernarfon
Lucy Rivers, The Forsythe Sisters, Gagglebabble
Winner: Lothar Koenigs, Pelléas et Mélisande, Welsh National Opera / Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru
QUOTE: Under Koenigs’ baton, the score’s shimmering harmonic palette is beautifully coloured throughout. But more intense still is the subtle pacing of the drama on stage and in the pit, which wonderfully reflects Debussy’s innovative use of musical tempi and duration as vehicles for expression.
BEST LIGHTING
GOLEUO GORAU
Ceri James, Beneath the Streets: Lost and Found, Hijnx & Punchdrunk Enrichment
Terry Hands, Hamlet, Theatr Clwyd
Katy Morison & Zakk Hein, A Good Clean Heart, The Other Room
Kevin Treacy, A Doll’s House, Sherman Cymru
Winner: Terry Hands, Hamlet, Theatr Clwyd
QUOTE: A masterful use of light and dark in thrilling apposition
BEST DESIGN AND/OR COSTUME
DYLUNIO A/NEU GWISGOEDD GORAU
Holly McCarthy, The Royal Bed, Theatr Pena, co-production with /cyd-gynhyrchiad The Riverfront / Glan yr Afon in association with / ar y cyd â Torch Theatre / Theatr y Torch
Ruth Hall & Max Jones, Y Fenyw Ddaeth o’r Môr, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru
Camilla Clarke, Yuri, August O12, co-production with / cyd-gynhyrchiad gyda Chapter
Mark Bailey, The Herbal Bed, Theatr Clwyd
Winner Holly McCarthy, The Royal Bed, Theatr Pena, co-production with /cyd-gynhyrchiad The Riverfront / Glan yr Afon in association with / ar y cyd â Torch Theatre / Theatr y Torch
QUOTE: Holly McCarthy’s design…has a statuesque grandeur to it. Its vaulting perpendicularity is emphasised by the six high-up candles in vertical alignment. Twenty-one more candles line the rear of the stage and form the left right corner.
BEST MALE IN AN OPERA PRODUCTION / PERFFORMIAD
GORAU MEWN CYNHYRCHIAD OPERA – GWRYW
Barry Banks, I Puritani, Welsh National Opera / Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru. Cyd-gynhyrchiad gyda / co-production with Den Jyske Oper a / Danish National Opera
Iestyn Morris Peter Pan, Welsh National Opera / Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru. Cyd-gynhyrchiad gyda / co-production with Komische Oper
Jacques Imbrailo, Pelléas et Mélisande, Welsh National Opera/Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru
Winner: Christopher Purves, Pelléas et Mélisande, Welsh National Opera/Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru
QUOTE: A captivating and complex characterisation, strong and sympathetic
BEST FEMALE IN AN OPERA PRODUCTION
PERFFORMIAD GORAU MEWN CYNHYRCHIAD OPERA – MENYW
Rosa Feola, I Puritani, Welsh National Opera / Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru. Cyd-gynhyrchiad gyda / co-production with Den Jyske Opera / Danish National Opera
Rebecca Evans, Orlando, Welsh National Opera / Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru. Cynhyrchiad Scottish Opera / a Scottish Opera Production
Jurgita Adomonyté, Pelléas et Mélisande, Welsh National Opera / Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru
Janis Kelly, Sweeney Todd, Welsh National Opera / Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru. Co-production with / Cyd-gynhyrchiad gyda Wales Millennium Centre / Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru and / a’r West Yorkshire Playhouse ar y cyd gyda / in association with Royal Exchange Theatre
Winner: Rosa Feola, I Puritani, Welsh National Opera / Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru. Cyd-gynhyrchiad gyda / co-production with Den Jyske Opera / Danish National Opera
QUOTE: Exquisite singing and acting in this unusual production that demanded so much from this wonderful artist
Best Opera Production/Cynhyrchiad Opera Gorau
Orlando, Welsh National Opera/Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru. Cynhyrchiad Scottish Opera/a Scottish Opera Production
Pelléas et Mélisande, Welsh National Opera/Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru
I Puritani, Welsh National Opera/Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru. Cyd-gynhyrchiad gyda / co-production with Den Jyske Opera/Danish National Opera
Hansel & Gretel, Welsh National Opera/Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru. Cyd-gynhyrchiad gyda/ co-production with Lyric Opera of Chicago
Winner: Pelléas et Mélisande, Welsh National Opera/Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru
QUOTE: David Pountney gives us an enigmatic, pulse-racing production full of characteristic verve and edginess
BEST ENSEMBLE / ENSEMBLE GORAU
playing ‘the maids’, The Llanarth Group in collaboration with / mewn cydweithrediad â Gaitkrash (Ireland / Iwerddon), Theatr P’yut (Korea), and / a 2 independent artists / 2 artist annibynnol (Singapore / UK-Ireland/Singapore / DU-Iwerddon)
The Winter’s Tale, Taking Flight Theatre, supported by / cefnogir gan Chapter
Legally Blonde, Aberystywth Arts Centre / Canolfan y Celfyddydau Aberystwyth
The Harri-Parris: The Big Day, Mai Oh Mai in association with / ar y cyd â Chapter and/a Torch Theatre / Theatr y Torch.
Winner:The Winter’s Tale, Taking Flight Theatre, supported by / cefnogir gan Chapter
QUOTE: Spendid work from this important company, rowdy and playful.
BEST PLAYWRIGHT IN THE WELSH LANGUAGE
DRAMODYDD GORAU YN YR IAITH GYMRAEG
Angharad Price, Nansi, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru
Dewi Wyn Williams, Difa, Theatr Bara Caws
Llŷr Titus, Drych, Cwmni’r Frân Wen mewn cydweithrediad â / in association with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru r
Dyfan Roberts, Pum Cynnig i Gymro, Theatr Bara Caws.
Winner : Llŷr Titus, Drych, Cwmni’r Frân Wen mewn cydweithrediad â / in association with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru
QUOTE: A confident and eloquent first play by a real young talent.
BEST PLAYWRIGHT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
DRAMODYDD GORAU YN YR IAITH SAESNEG
Alun Saunders, A Good Clean Heart, The Other Room
Gary Owen, Iphigenia in Splott, Sherman Cymru
Catrin Fflur Huws, To Kill a Machine, Scriptography Productions, co-production with / cyd-gynhyrchiad gyda Cwmni Theatr Arad Goch
Owen Thomas, Grav, Torch Theatre Company / Cwmni’r Torch
Winner Alun Saunders, A Good Clean Heart, The Other Room
QUOTE: A poetic balance between both languages as the rhythms and musicality of each are observed and beautifully woven together to create this heady world of inter-culturality
BEST DANCE PRODUCTION
CYNHYRCHIAD DAWNS GORAU
Dawns Ysbrydion, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru mewn partneriaeth â Galeri Caernarfon / in partnership with Galeri Caernarfon
Blood on the Snow, Caroline Sabin, co-production with / cyd-gynhyrchiad gyda Chapter
I Loved You and I Loved You, Sweetshop Revolution, produced by / cynhyrchwyd gan Coreo Cymru and / a Chapter
Stories from a Crowded Room, Earthfall in partnership with / mewn partneriaeth â Chapter
Winner Stories from a Crowded Room, Earthfall in partnership with / mewn partneriaeth â Chapter
QUOTE: Welcomingly intrusive. I left there feeling richly challenged and cleansed
BEST FEMALE DANCE ARTIST (PERFORMER AND/OR CHOREOGRAPHER)
ARTIST DAWNS GORAU – MENYW (PERFFORMIWR A/NEU GOREOGRAFFYDD)
Eddie Ladd, Dawns Ysbrydion, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru mewn partneriaeth â / in partnership with Galeri Caernarfon
Joanna Young, Don’t Think About a Purple Daisy
Gemma Prangle, Dances I Made on my Bathroom Floor
Caroline Sabin, Blood on the Snow, co-production with / cyd-gynhyrchiad gyda Chapter
Winner Eddie Ladd, Dawns Ysbrydion, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru mewn partneriaeth â / in partnership with Galeri Caernarfon
QUOTE: A boundaries- pushing physical and creative performance in an important work
BEST MALE DANCE ARTIST (PERFORMER AND/OR CHOREOGRAPHER) ARTIST DAWNS GORAU – GWRYW (PERFFORMIWR A/NEU GOREOGRAFFYDD)
Daisuke Miura, Tir, Ballet Cymru
Gwyn Emberton, TRIPTYCH III, De Oscuro ar a cyd â / in association with / Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru Wales Millennium Centre and / a Chapter
Alex Marshall Parsons, Stories from a Crowded Room, Earthfall in partnership with / mewn partneriaeth â Chapter
Alexander Ekman, Tuplet, National Dance Company Wales, Cwmni Dawns Cenedlaethol Cymru
Winner: Gwyn Emberton, TRIPTYCH III, De Oscuro ar a cyd â / in association with / Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru Wales Millennium Centre and / a Chapter
QUOTE: Taught, inventive and gripping, emotionally charged choreography and dance
BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
PERFFORMIAD GORAU YN YR IAITH SAESNEG – MENYW
Eiry Thomas, The Royal Bed, Theatr Pena, co-production with / cyd-gynhyrchiad The Riverfront / Glan yr afon in association with / ar y cyd â Torch Theatre / Theatr y Torch
Seren Vickers, Dark Vanilla Jungle, Company of Sirens in association with / ar y cyd â Chapter
Sophie Melville, Iphigenia in Splott, Sherman Cymru
Sian Howard, All My Sons, Theatr Clwyd
Winner: Sophie Melville, Iphigenia in Splott, Sherman Cymru
Quote: A beautiful angry, heart-breaking portrayal of a feisty victim of austerity
BEST MALE PERFORMANCE IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
PERFFORMIAD GORAU YN YR IAITH SAESNEG – GWRYW
Christian Patterson, Blasted, The Other Room
Lee Haven-Jones, Hamlet, Theatr Clwyd
Gwydion Rhys, To Kill A Machine, Scriptography Productions, co-production with / cyd-gynhyrchiad gyda Cwmni Theatr Arad Goch
Gareth John Bale, Grav, Torch Theatre Company / Cwmni’r Torch
Winner: Christian Patterson, Blasted, The Other Room
QUOTE: An utterly fearless performance of a challenging role that leaves you reeling
BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE IN THE WELSH LANGUAGE
PERFFORMIAD GORAU YN YR IAITH GYMRAEG – MENYW
Melangell Dolma, Nansi, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru
Gwenno Elis Hodgkins, Drych, Cwmni’r Frân Wen mewn cydweithrediad â / in association with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru
Carys Eleri, Yuri, August O12, co-production with / cydgynhyrchiad gyda Chapter
Catherine Ayers, Y Tŵr, Invertigo Theatre Company
Winner: Carys Eleri, Yuri, August O12, co-production with / cydgynhyrchiad gyda Chapter
QUOTE: An entertaining, hilarious yet entirely relatable. Memorable and provocative.
BEST MALE PERFORMANCE IN THE WELSH LANGUAGE
PERFFORMIAD GORAU YN YR IAITH GYMRAEG – GWRYW
Dyfan Roberts, Pum Cynnig i Gymro, Theatr Bara Caws
Rhodri Evan, Difa, Theatr Bara Caws
Bryn Fôn, Drych, Cwmni’r Frân Wen, mewn cydweithrediad â / in association with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru
Steffan Donnelly, Y Tŵr, Invertigo Theatre Company
Winner: Rhodri Evan, Difa, Theatr Bara Caws
QUOTE: An absolute tour de force
BEST PRODUCTION IN THE WELSH LANGUAGE
CYNHYRCHIAD GORAU YN YR IAITH GYMRAEG
Y Tŵr, Invertigo Theatre Company
Difa, Theatr Bara Caws
Yuri, August O12, co-production with / cyd-gynhyrchiad gyda Chapter Arts Centre / Canolfan y Celfyddydau Chapter
{150}, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru a / and National Theatre Wales mewn cydweithrediad ag / in association with S4C
Winner: Difa, Theatr Bara Caws
QUOTE: This was a perfect combination of elements – casting, special effects, directing and script
BEST PRODUCTION IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
CYNHYRCHIAD GORAU YN YR IAITH SAESNEG
The Dying of Today, The Other Room
Grav, Torch Theatre Company / Cwmi’r Torch
Hamlet, Theatr Clwyd
To Kill a Machine, Scriptography Productions, co-production with / cyd-gynhyrchiad gyda Cwmni Theatr Arad Goch
Winner: The Dying of Today, The Other Room
QUOTE: An energetic and vibrant production
BEST DIRECTOR / CYFARWYDDWR GORAU
Kate Wasserberg, Blasted, The Other Room
Angharad Lee, To Kill a Machine, Scriptography Productions, co-production with / cyd-gynhyrchiad gyda Cwmni Theatr Arad Goch
Peter Doran, Grav, Torch Theatre Company / Cwmni’r Torch
Mared Swain, A Good Clean Heart, The Other Room
Winner: Kate Wasserberg, Blasted, The Other Room
QUOTE: A triumph from this most exciting director, enthralling an audience in an intimate venue
AUDIENCE AWARD/ GWOBR Y GYNULLEIDFA
Grav, Torch Theatre Company/ Cwmni’r Torch
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT/ LLWYDDIANT ARBENNIG
Jessica Cohen and Jim Ennis, Earthfall
Read about the 2015 Awards:
http://www.asiw.co.uk/news/wales-theatre-awards-winners-named