Wales Millennium Centre is thrilled to announce its first national tour with a Welsh language production called Ma’ Bili’n Bwrw’r Bronco (Bili does a Bronco). Opening in Cardiff on 31 July 2012, the show will then tour across Wales throughout August.
Ma Bili’n Bwrw’r Bronco is Wales Millennium Centre’s Welsh language production of Douglas Maxwell’s iconic piece – Decky Does a Bronco. Adapted by Jeremi Cockram, this site specific production, which takes place in a playground, was premiered by Grid Iron at the 2000 Edinburgh Festival and most recently completed a three month tour of Scotland and England in 2010.
For a nine year old lad, doing a bronco is the best feeling ever… You stand on a swing and work it up as high as you can, before kicking it up over the bar as you jump off.
Ma’ Bili’n Bwrw’r Bronco tells a powerful and vivid tale of childhood innocence and the perilous passage into adulthood. Set on a housing estate in the Swansea Valley, five boys spend the summer of 1983 acting out their dreams and fears in their local park. It’s a summer of play-fighting, Star Wars and their new obsession with bronco’ing, but when their playful banter and bickering is cut short by an unimaginable event, their lives are changed forever.
Conrad Lynch, Artistic Director at Wales Millennium Centre says: “The next phase in our development as a truly national centre for the performing arts is to produce our own work. In seven years the Centre has successfully established itself as a theatre which stages world class productions, by globally renowned producers, especially in the field of musical theatre and opera. As we mature our ambition is to produce and present new work, in both languages, to showcase the talent of Wales, as well as to continue to bring the best of the world to Wales. This production is our very first step towards realising that ambition, which makes it significant”.
He continues “We look forward to taking this production to audiences across Wales and I am very grateful to the Arts Council of Wales for supporting us to do so”.
Ma’ Bili’n Bwrw’r Bronco is directed by Geinor Styles, Artistic Director of Theatr na n’Óg whose recent credits include Salsa, Aesop Fables and You Should Ask Wallace, which will be performed in Singapore in 2013.
“To be such an integral part of Wales Millennium Centre’s first national tour is an exciting prospect to say the least, especially in light of the powerful and emotive nature of Ma’ Bili”n Bwrw’r Bronco. It is a privilege to be working with such a talented Welsh cast and crew on a play which will enthral audiences” says Geinor.
The original script Decky Does a Bronco written by Douglas Maxwell, was first created and performed by Scottish theatre company Grid Iron in 2000. It became a massive hit at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe winning a Scotsman Fringe First Award. It went on to tour in both Scotland and England and was nominated for the TMA/Barclays award for Best Touring Production 2001.
Ma Bili’n Bwrw’r Bronco is written by Douglas Maxwell, adapted by Jeremi Cockram and directed by Geinor Styles.
Ma Bili’n Bwrw’r Bronco will be premiered in Cardiff from 31 July – 4 Aug 2012 at the The Marl, Grangetown, Cardiff, before performances at the National Eisteddfod, Ystradgynlais, Swansea, Clwyd, Caernarfon, Llanelli and Aberystwyth. Tickets range between £6 – £12. To book tickets visit www.wmc.org
Age guidance 11+