“Two days later
we upped and left
and except in the chaos of swirling dreams
we never saw home again.”
The audiences who came to The Swallow Theatre in July last year to see Grav written by Owen Thomas and performed by Gareth J Bale, agreed with us about the incredible beauty of the writing and the integrity of the performance. So we are delighted that the same team of writer Owen Thomas and actor Gareth J Bale, now joined by actor Gwenllian Higginson, are back with another lyrical play, West.
West is set at the end of the nineteenth century. Two young people fall in love and decide to leave behind family, friends and traditions to start a new life in the New World.
In beautifully poetic language, it follows the hardships and adventures they face, and asks what and where is ‘home’.
West was commissioned by the North American Festival of Wales and received its first public performance in the Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Friday 30th August 2019. The first American performances received standing ovations from an enthusiastic audience.
Since the premiere West has been performed in London and on Hastings Pier and has toured Wales. It has also returned to the United States for performances in New York City and a run at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in LA.
“It brought me and many others to tears. Just superb. I can’t recommend it enough.” – Diane Owen
“This beautiful play will make you laugh/cry in equal measure.” – Michelle McTernan
“This was a profoundly moving and evocative presentation which spoke to the global experience of emigrants everywhere.” – Y NINNAU
West
Written by Owen Thomas
Performed by Gareth John Bale and Gwenllian Higginson.
Produced by Bale & Thomas.
Duration: Approximately 60 minutes straight through.
After a brief interval Gareth J Bale and Gwenllian Higginson have kindly agreed to join us in the bar for an informal Q&A.
Recommended age : 12+
