Morgan Leads National Theatre Wales' A GOOD NIGHT OUT IN THE VALLEYS

A cast of six actors - all originally from the Welsh Valleys - has been confirmed for National Theatre Wales' first production, A Good Night Out in the Valleys. They start rehearsing today (Monday 1st February) in Blackwood, South Wales.

The play will be performed in five miners' institutes across the South Wales Valleys. It is based on real, homegrown Valleys stories, transformed into a laugh-out-loud night at the theatre, and will feature live music performed by bands from each institute's local area.

In their heyday, the coal mines created thriving communities and considerable wealth in the South Wales valleys. Those communities were full of a sense of pride and spirit, embodied in the creation of the miners' institutes. Taking a penny from every pound the miners earned, they built institutes which became their concert halls, theatres, meeting places and snooker halls.
The cast includes ShaRon Morgan, winner of last year's BAFTA Cymru Best Actress Award for her role in Martha Jac a Sianco, who also appeared in BBC Wales' Torchwood and Belonging. Boyd Clack, star of BBC Wales' High Hopes and Satellite City, as well as Twin Town, will also appear, alongside Siwan Morris, star of Channel 4's Skins and who last year performed in Sherman Cymru's acclaimed Cloakroom. Siwan has also appeared on television in Con Passionate and Caerdydd.

Three young actors from BBC Wales' Belonging will also appear: Oliver Wood ( who played Asbo), Huw Rhys (Carl), and Amy Starling (Nurse Spencer). Huw also appeared in Caerdydd.

A Good Night Out in the Valleys is written by Alan Harris, originally from Church Village, Pontypridd, and a former journalist for local papers including the Merthyr Express and the Cynon Valley Leader. His theatre work includes Orange (Sgript Cymru) and Burberry (Sherman Cymru). His play The Gold Farmer will be performed on BBC Radio 3 on Saturday 6th February.

The play is directed by National Theatre Wales Artistic Director John McGrath, previously Artistic Director of Contact Theatre, Manchester. John trained in New York, where he was also Associate Director of Mabou Mines. In 2005, he was awarded the NESTA Cultural Leadership Award.
The show is designed by Angela Davies from Rhondda, whose work includes Life Is A Dream (Donmar Warehouse). She has designed for companies including the RSC, and for several operas. Her current projects include Rigoletto for Grange Park Opera.

Tickets are available now, from the venues and from www.nationaltheatrewales.org

National Theatre Wales creates invigorating theatre in the English language, rooted in Wales, with an international reach.

For more information on National Theatre Wales' shows visit: www.nationaltheatrewales.org

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