SUMMER FUN WITH SHERMAN THEATRE AND THEATR IOLO

Sherman Theatre and Theatr Iolo are teaming up to entertain audiences with outdoor performances in Cardiff this summer. 

For older children, young adults and all ages plus, the Sherman will perform a new live version of Crafangau / Claws by Nia Morais. Originally created as an audio play for Sherman Theatre’s Heart of Cardiff season, Crafangau / Claws is a magical tale about growing up and being who you are. This short play will be performed both in English and Welsh at separate performances. 

Mali Ann Rees ((Single) Motherhood, Sherman Theatre; Tourist Trap, BBC) reprises the role of Mason following her performance in the original audio production. Eädyth Crawford (The Merthyr Stigmatist, Sherman Theatre) returns as composer. Sherman Theatre’s Artistic Director Joe Murphy directs this new production. The performances will be Sherman Theatre’s first in front of a live audience since March 2020. 

Mason’s Nan wants to straighten the blackness from her hair. She wants Mason to look like someone she isn’t. What should Mason do? In the woods near St Fagans, Mason has an unexpected encounter with a panther. Perhaps this incredible creature can help Mason set herself free. Audiences are invited through their imagination to venture into enchanted woods, just beyond our everyday world in this empowering story. 

For the whole family, Theatr Iolo will perform its production with Kitsch & Sync – HOOF! which has already been a hit with audiences across South Wales over the past few months. 

Audiences are invited to join three little deer as they stumble across an old, abandoned theatre. Investigating their new find, this cheeky trio quickly find themselves in the spotlight and treading the boards for the very first time! Will the toe-tapping friends be able to bring the long-forgotten theatre back to life? Or will the lights be turned off forever? 

Both Crafangau / Claws and Hoof! will be performed in Theatr Iolo’s innovative travelling outdoor theatre. Theatr Iolo were able to purchase and convert an old exhibition trailer into the travelling outdoor stage, thanks to a capital grant from the Arts Council of Wales's Cultural Recovery Fund. As part of its extensive transformation, the travelling theatre has its own solar powered battery, making it more environmentally friendly. 

Both shows will be performed as part of Summer of Smiles, Cardiff Council’s children and young people’s festival from 3 - 6 August at the festival site on City Hall Lawn. Both shows will then be performed at Cardiff West Community High School from 9 - 12 August. The performances will adhere to social distancing guidelines. 

Sherman Theatre’s Artistic Director Joe Murphy has said “It is so exciting to be able to share the unique magic of live theatre with audiences again. Summer is all about spending time in the great outdoors and what can be better at this time of year than sharing the experience of theatre in the open air. Nia Morais is a hugely exciting and important voice in Welsh theatre and I am looking forward to bringing her enchanting, uplifting play Crafangau / Claws to life again as a live show following the original audio theatre production. We are delighted to be partnering with Theatr Iolo and to be presenting work for audiences as part of Cardiff Council’s Summer of Smiles.” 

Theatr Iolo’s Artistic Director Lee Lyford has said: "Theatr Iolo are thrilled to be partnering with our wonderful friends at the Sherman Theatre, sharing a stage to present two great shows for children and teenagers. Hoof! was made in collaboration with the brilliant Kitsch & Sync and is our joyful celebration of theatre and the communal experience we have missed out on this last year. I am so excited to share this experience with more families during the Summer of Smiles."