Two new children’s productions for spring 2020
Muckers
Chwarae
Theatr Iolo will be taking to the road in spring 2020 to tour two theatre shows for young people across the length and breadth of Wales.
The two productions – Muckers and Chwarae - seek to showcase the range of work that Theatr Iolo produces, presents and creates in Wales and is the start of Artistic Director Lee Lyford’s first full year of work for the company.
The first production, Muckers is an English language show originally developed by the egg in Bath for young people in the last few years of primary school and their families, whilst Chwarae (meaning ‘play’ in Welsh) has been created for younger children just starting school and is performed in Welsh.
Presented by the egg, Oxford Playhouse, Theatr Iolo and Conde Duque, Muckers was first developed at the egg in Bath, and is now set for a seven-venue tour in February and March next year, starting at the Sherman in Cardiff with the final performance at Galeri in Caernarfon. Written and performed by Caroline Horton and created with an international ensemble, Muckers is a quest for self-acceptance, with original songs.
In a story that will resonate with children and adults alike, Muckers tells the tale of two girls called Paloma and Pichón who have always mucked around together. They dress up like tigers, flamenco dancers, queens, kings, rabbits and Lady Gaga. Life is fun and funny and a little bit loopy. Until one day a blinding white light lands on Paloma. Embarrassed and confused, her days of dressing up, running wild, and mucking about with Pichón seem to be over….
‘It really is a must see for all ages.’
Exeunt Magazine
Following on from Muckers, Theatr Iolo will then present Chwarae in ten venues, opening at Chapter in Cardiff with the final performances taking place at Pontio in Bangor. Developed and presented in collaboration with Pontio, Chwarae is a Welsh language production for children aged 4+ and their families.
In the time between waking and the start of the daily routines, a young boy goes on a journey experiencing different worlds of play, be they imaginary, found online or in the real world, to help him discover a new-found joy in playing.
Developed collaboratively with artist Elgan Rhys and families from North Wales, Chwarae explores the importance play has in the lives of children and adults alike and celebrates the complexities of the how, where, why, with who and what of play in our ever-busy world. It aims to encourage children to explore different ways to play, as well as to show adults the importance of play and how child-led play is vital to a child’s development and well-being. As part of the performance there will also be the opportunity during Chwarae for families to take part in a play session together.
“I’m really excited that Theatr Iolo are able to present two exceptional productions for young people across the whole of Wales next spring. Although they’ve been created for different ages and in different languages, Muckers and Chwarae both urge children and their families to have fun together, play, mess around and explore the wonderful, and sometimes complicated, world in which we live in. They are a wonderful celebration of childhood and a call to action for young people to make the most of this precious time in their lives.”
Lee Lyford, Artistic Director
Both productions are suitable for families and for school groups. School groups will be provided with an education pack containing additional resources to take back to the classroom. Schools are also able to access the Arts Council of Wales Go and See fund to help financially support a trip to see either of these productions.