100 YEARS ON, A NEW CO-PRODUCTION CONFRONTS THE OUTRAGE AND REPULSION TO PROSSER RHYS’S CROWN-WINNING AND CONTROVERSIAL POEM ‘ATGOF’.
“Better suited to Sodom and Gomorrah than to Wales”. “Filth!”.
These are just two of many reactions printed in the Welsh press in 1924 following the release of ‘Atgof’, the crown winning poem at the Pontypool National Eisteddfod, composed by Aberystwyth poet, journalist, and publisher Edward Prosser Rhys.
Atgof (Memory) shares a young man’s impressions and memories of lust, love and homosexuality. Despite impressing the Eisteddfod judges and winning the prestigious crown, it’s themes and views on sex and homosexuality sparked uproar, outrage and abuse from society.
To mark the centenary of Atgof; Music Theatre Wales, Sinfonia Cymru and Music@Aber join forces to perform a powerful 45-minute performance commissioned in partnership with the National Eisteddfod.
Audiences across Wales will experience an unforgettable and thought-provoking feast including; verbatim operatic monodrama, composed by Conor Mitchell and performed by tenor Elgan Llŷr Thomas, a dynamic physical interpretation of the poem by Eddie Ladd, orchestral music performed by Sinfonia Cymru, an evocative sound design by Sion Orgon and archive films from the time. This powerful piece allows audiences to revisit the poem, reflect on the outrage and question how new work like ‘Atgof’ that challenges accepted norms, is received in modern day Wales.
Music Theatre Wales’ Director Michael McCarthy said “I have known and admired both Conor Mitchell’s and Eddie Ladd’s work for many years and it’s wonderful to be able to present their work side by side in this challenging and thought-provoking new programme - a Welsh language production that speaks to all society, confronting the culture of today. MTW is exploring the power and relevance of opera as contemporary performance, and what better way than to commission an intense double-bill of physical theatre and operatic monologue? I’m delighted to be working with Sinfonia Cymru and Music@Aber on this Eisteddfod commission.”
Sinfonia Cymru’s Chief Executive Caroline Tress said “We’re so proud to be collaborating with Music Theatre Wales, Music@Aber and the National Eisteddfod on this incredibly powerful new show. As artists and as humans, it is vital that we are allowed to express our individuality through music and art, without fear of discrimination. Art and music have throughout history been powerful tools in challenging prejudice and injustice. Bwystfilod Aflan – Unclean Beasts provides our under 30s professional musicians with a chance to explore our Welsh heritage and to examine how we can use our artform as a tool for protest and social change, in a way that is thought-provoking and moving for audiences”.
Conductor Iwan Teifion Davies from Music@Aber said; “Co-commissioning and producing operatic work is an exciting new venture for Music@Aber, but one that is entirely in-keeping with Aberystwyth’s place as the home of Welsh music – the premiere of the first ever Welsh language opera took place here in 1878. I’m thrilled that Music@Aber can play a part in creating bold new work, collaborating with other Welsh institutions, and demonstrating that the Welsh language can be used to create sophisticated, innovative music theatre with an international reach”.
Bwystfilod Aflan – Unclean Beasts will be performed at the following venues, tickets available now via the box offices.
- Wednesday 9th October at 19:30pm, Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
- Friday 11th October at 19:30pm, Small World Theatre, Cardigan
- Wednesday 16th October at 20:00, Aberystwyth Arts Center
- Thursday 17th October at 19:30, Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham.