Hummadruz Theatre, The Blacklight Theatre of Wales will embark on their Amazing Stories of Wales tour this November visiting venues across Wales. Their colourful productions use ultra violet lit props and performers to create a unique style of non-verbal theatre performance and sensory experience.
Productions will include circus, dance, puppetry, illusion as well as new Welsh music, designed to captivate audiences. The performances are made to be enjoyable and accessible for people of all abilities and ages and whatever their language.
The November tour opens at The Riverfront, Newport (8 Nov), before stopping off at Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea (11 November), Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli (13 Nov), The Met, Abertillery (18 November), Borough Theatre, Abergavenny (20 Nov) and The Savoy Theatre Monmouth (22 Nov).
The Amazing Stories from Wales’ tour is made possible by the support of Arts Council of Wales and The Lottery Fund and is created in association with The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre.
Stories from Wales
Two pieces will feature at each performance: The Company will reimagine When the Dragons Came Back to Wales from their successful tour in 2023 alongside a brand new production for 2025, UFO.
UFO explores the modern myths of UFO and stories of alien visitations in Wales linking the reported sightings at Pentre Ifan, Bardsey Island and Broadhaven. When the Dragons Came Back to Wales, tells the story of a young girl who creates a kite like dragon for a carnival. Unleashed during a fierce storm, the dragon causes havoc with global consequences.
From early experiments with ultra-violet light at 90s rave parties to performing in front of millions on Britain’s Got Talent, Director of Hummadruz Theatre, Stuart Bawler has always followed his curiosity. Fire juggling in the hills of mid Wales evolved into creating a professional company of freelance dancers, circus and puppetry artists, illusionists and musicians who collaborate to bring a sense of awe, wonder and joy to many people.
New Music from Wales
The brand new soundtrack to UFO comes from Wales-based composer and musician Lenny Sayers and Welsh composer Stafford Bawler and will be performed and recorded by freelance classical musicians from BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Welsh National Opera. The performances in Newport and Swansea will feature a live performance of the music by Lenny, Stafford and the musicians, with subsequent performances on the tour featuring the soundtrack which is being recorded at a special session at Tŷ Cerdd at Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. An original score by Lenny Sayers, Principal Bass Clarinet with BBC National Orchestra of Wales, also features in When the Dragons Came Back to Wales.
Stafford Bawler, Stuart’s brother, is living as a quadruple amputee having been struck by sepsis in 2022. Stafford’s compositions and video sound design have won him awards over the years and he continues to inspire people of all abilities despite his own disability by continuing to create music for others to enjoy. Stafford joins the musicians on Theremin, an electronic instrument played without physical contact by the performer which is controlled using electric magnet fields.
As well as the tour of two shows, the Company will also perform When Dragons Came Back to Wales as an individual performance at The Court Yard, Hereford on Wednesday 29 October.
Stuart Bawler said, “We are delighted that both stories will be told in a joyful ultra violet performance through expression and movement to a back drop of especially created music celebrating composers and musicians from Wales. The tour will produce wonderful experiences for audiences whatever their language, age or ability. I also hope will be an inspiration for all disabled performers to participate in the arts. The tour will demonstrate how barriers can be removed, resulting in beautiful and accessible theatrical performances including our brand new piece UFO, literally out of this world!”