“Cardiff strikes me as an interesting example of a city that seems to suddenly have a bit of a creative buzz around it. National Theatre Wales has given a significant boost to aspirations of Welsh artists and has encouraged the growth of artist networks… The considerable strengths of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama may well be another factor.”
That’s what Lyn Gardner, The Guardian’s theatre critic, had to say about Cardiff in her article on “the artistic exodus from London”.
But what does it mean for students here at RWCMD? Well, it means you’re studying in a place with a thriving theatre scene, with lots of opportunities in acting, production and design.
Let’s have a look at how graduates are involved in some of the companies and productions that Lyn namechecks.
“This week, Cardiff got its first pub theatre, The Other Room at Porters, which launched with a revival of Sarah Kane’s Blasted.”
Actors Christian Patterson and Simon Nehan are graduates, as are designers Ruth Hall and Max Jones.
“National Theatre Wales are at the Sherman collaborating with Out of Joint on Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage about gay Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas.”
Featuring graduates Katie Elin Salt and Bethan Witcomb and lighting designer Katy Morison.
“… there’s been an all-female Richard III in the roof void at WMC that is also starting to self-produce”
In the cast are former students Mairi Phillips, Ana-Maria Maskell, Polly Kirkpatrick and Jessica Hayles. Designed by recent graduate Gabriella Slade, with sound by current MA student Tic Ashfield.
“…only a couple of weeks ago I was down in Cardiff Bay for Gagglebabble’s hugely enjoyable The Forsythe Sisters.”
The award-winning duo are graduates, Lucy Rivers and Hannah McPake.
“Dirty Protest are doing much to encourage new writing…”
Dirty Protest’s talent page reads like a Who’s Who of RWCMD – its latest project was a response to the Artes Mundi works, and all four actors were graduates from the college.
Initiatives such as the Wales Theatre Awards create a bit of a buzz and make all theatre in Wales more visible.
Nuff said.
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