There’s fire in the belly of a bold new children’s play, exploring black ancestry and Welsh mythology.
Welsh children’s theatre company, Theatr Iolo, have received a generous CREATE grant from the Arts Council of Wales to develop a new theatre production about the myth of the Welsh dragon; exploring what it means to be Welsh.
Written by Cardiff born writer Kyle Lima, The Welsh Dragon is a mythological play with music, rap, and a historical twist. Described by Lima as a ‘rapiscal’, the play is based on the legend of the Welsh dragon, and weaves together the well-known myth with historical hidden truths that explore identity, ethnicity, and the origins of human life on the British Isles.
“It’s about breaking down the conventions of what people perceive British people to be, and Welsh people to be. And trying to throw away all that and put a bit of truth in the mix of the origins of British people; that they aren’t all white and they came from many different places.”
Kyle Lima, writer of The Welsh Dragon
The Welsh Dragon originally came out of Platfform, Theatr Iolo’s artist development programme, and was commissioned by the children’s theatre company shortly afterwards. This further development process, which is due to commence this autumn, will bring together a team of black creatives with a view to it being ready for touring to theatres in 2024.
Kevin McCurdy, best known for his work as a fight director, will direct The Welsh Dragon, with Kyle Lima as Assistant Director. The production will feature music composed by Welsh artist, Eadyth Crawford and design by Kyle Legall.
“We’re so excited for Kyle and this incredible creative team to have the chance to develop the story of The Welsh Dragon for young audiences. We believe that it’s important for children to have a chance to reflect on the stories they are told growing up and to challenge them too! Kyle’s story really gives young people growing up in Wales a chance to confidently do that and to ask big questions about their ancestry and what it means to be Welsh.”
Lee Lyford, Artistic Director at Theatr Iolo
Theatr Iolo will also be looking to get young people involved in the process, by creating a bespoke workshop programme to explore how they feel about their own Welsh identity. Working with children aged 8-12 years of age, from a range of backgrounds, young people will have the opportunity to explore Welsh myths, Welsh language and their own feelings around living and growing-up in Wales in 2023.
For more information about The Welsh Dragon, visit theatriolo.com or follow @theatriolo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
