To say that BRANWEN: DADENI, which had its world premiere at the Wales Millennium Centre last night is an epic tale, is an understatement. You’d have to throw in the mix words like – heroic, historic, monumental and romantic. They not only describe the centuries old story, but the actual staging of this production, which is truly awesome.
Branwen: Dadeni is a new musical co-produced by the Wales Millennium Centre and Frân Wen which reimagines the iconic story of Branwen from the Mabinogion, which are the earliest Welsh prose stories compiled in Middle Welsh in the 12th–13th centuries.
The production is performed in Welsh, but if you’re like me, a non-Welsh speaker, do not be intimidated by this at all. There are surtitles to help you through the story, and within minutes you’ll find yourself easily flicking between the on-screen text and on-stage action. And when we say action on the stage, boy do we mean it. The show is relentless from start to finish.
As usual we took time to chat to some of the audience as they left the Donald Gordon theatre last night. But as this was the World Premiere we also tracked down the Artistic Director at the Wales Millennium Centre, a very proud GRAEME FARROW.
The performances are incredible and the singing from each and every member of the cast is West-End good. MARED WILLIAMS who plays Branwen is no stranger to the big venues, having played in the likes of Les Misérables, but on the huge Donald Gordon stage, with a packed auditorium, you really felt she was home. She delivered a powerful, romantic, and incredibly feisty lead performance.
But this show only works with a strong team of players, and we had some of Wales finest on stage last night. CAITLIN DRAKE was Efnisien, and Bendigeidfran performed by TOMOS EAMES. Emotionally, each character took us on a journey that will leave you completely drained, in the very best way. As a family they could easily take the Targayen’s from GOT (Game of Thrones), but the underlying feeling is one of love and togetherness, and the music portrays this beautifully.
There are more than a few laugh out loud moments, and even for those of us following the story text on screen, we laughed in all the right places. RITHVIK ANDUGULA made his professional debut last night, not that you’d have known it from his is witty portrayal of Matholwch. As for his voice – stunning, and when blended with Mared, it truly is the perfect match – unlike the characters they play.
GILLIAN ELISA plays the role of Ena, a figure who provides counsel to Matholwch, King of Ireland. AT first you believe she is a kind, supportive, often funny and sweet character. But as time moves along, and the plot darkens, so does Ena, and Gillian gives a show-stopping performance.
I feel it’s almost wrong to highlight individuals as everyone has a part to play in this often complex story, and the entire team of performers, musicians, and off stage production and technical staff have delivered something incredibly special to the heart of Wales, and a show we fully expect to see back in due course.
Branwen: Dadeni is written by Hanna Jarman, Elgan Rhys and Seiriol Davies, with lyrics and music by Seiriol Davies. It is directed by Frân Wen’s Artistic Director, Gethin Evans, with the already-announced creative team including set and costume designer Elin Steele, lighting designer Bretta Gerecke, orchestrator Owain Gruffudd Roberts and casting director Hannah Marie Williams.
This is the part where I tell you to get a ticket while you can, and of course I’m going to do that – BRANWEN: DADENI is a must-see spectacular. But here’s the problem. two of the venues are completely sold out and if you want to get along to see it at the Wales Millennium Centre, you really are going to have to get a wiggle on.
The show runs through to Saturday 11th November. Performances are at 7:30pm. Tickets start at £17:00 and you can get yours HERE.
It then travels to Aberystwyth Arts Centre from Wednesday 15th through to Friday 17th November, again performances are at 7:30pm. Tickets at the Arts Centre range from £12 to £18 and you can get yours HERE. But it’s showing as sold out here.
Finally the production gets to Pontio Arts Centre in Bangor from Wednesday 22nd through to Saturday 25th November with performances at 7:30pm. Tickets in Bangor range from £12 to £18 and you can get yours HERE. But once again, the website tells you it is sold out.
You can also read our original feature – HERE.
