Dros y Top

In response to an advertisement by Theatr Bara Caws, members from each community where the company will be performing, have been invited to take part in the next show, Dros Y Top. Every night each community will contribute a short piece about the First World War, relevant to their particular area, which could take the form of a song, a story, a letter etc. For example, at one of the performances at Ysgol Glanaethwy, Bangor a pupil from Ysgol Tryfan will play a piece of electroacoustic music which he has composed for his ‘A’ level Music exam, based on his reaction to WW1; in Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold the pupils of Maes Garmon are using the opportunity to feed into a larger project which they have been working on during the course of the year; in Cardiff (Llanover Hall), a trio from the Atrium will perform songs from the period, and another student will read a personal letter, a treasured family possession.

Dros y Top marks the centenary of the First World War, and has been written and created by the cast - Gwion Aled, Rhian Blythe, Mirain Haf, Carwyn Jones, and Rhodri Sion, lead by the playwright Aled Jones Williams and Bara Caws’ Artistic Director, Betsan Llwyd. Osian Gwynedd has been commissioned to compose the music, and is also the Musical Director. According to Aled Jones Williams, working alongside the actors has been both exciting and productive. This method of creating a show also sees the culmination of an idea Betsan Llwyd has been keen to explore since her appointment as Artistic Director, which sees the Company returning to its roots back in the late ‘70s when Bara Caws was established. She has found the process both interesting and instructive. Emyr Morris-Jones has designed the set, with Lois Prys responsible for the costumes.