There will be life breathed into a Pontypridd Colliery which is set to be transformed into a spectacular outdoor circus, filled with fire and live music, to celebrate the incredible history and mining community.
The Great Western Colliery Preservation Trust, have teamed up with Pontypridd’s circus company, Citrus Arts for NOW AND EVER MORE an unforgettable performance at the Hetty Pitt, the former colliery site near Pontypridd, this Friday and Saturday.
CITRUS ARTS have been around for about ten years now and are renowned for making highly physical and visual performances that combines circus, theatre and dance, which are performed with communities and also at events, venues and festivals across the UK.
Their home is Pontypridd, in the Rhondda Welsh Valleys, and a lot of what they do happens at their community space in Hopkinstown Hall, which they refurbished during the pandemic. The Hall recently re-opened with a packed programme of creative workshops for all ages.
They are all about bringing people together through creativity, and believe us, they do it brilliantly. Their mantra is ‘exceptional experiences for everyday people’.
They are a not-for-profit charity, originally a family run company but now expanding and supporting more local and international artists and participants.
Now and Ever More will see local performers using the stories and legacy of the mine’s past expressed through their circus and performance skills. It was originally an idea that was for the community of Pontypridd before the floods in 2020, and pre-pandemic. It took until now to realise the opportunity of brining fire installations and performances that will transform the colliery site.
This highly visual performance with recorded local voices, will see Welsh circus and theatre talent perform with live music by Simon McCorry (Cellist) with fire installations and performances that will transform the colliery site.
The title Now and Ever More is inspired by the translated lyrics of the famous hymn ‘Cwm Rhondda’ which was composed in the chapel near the site and is best known for the famous lyric, “Bread of Heaven.”
James Doyle-Roberts, Artistic Director of Citrus Arts told us…….
“We at Citrus Arts are using all our showmanship and resources to invite our neighbours to look at our surroundings differently. With live music and performance, fire and laser technology, you can experience two nights of illuminated magic at this under loved local landmark.”
This weeks performances will be at The Great Western Colliery, also known as the ‘Hetty Pit’ located on the Rhondda Road, between Trehafod and Pontypridd. Its original Engine Room is beautifully preserved and stands as a symbol of the care that a handful of special local people have for their heritage and the history of the area.
The mine was opened originally as the “Gyfeillon Pit” in 1851 and closed in 1983. The mine was one of many in the area, and saw many dark moments in its past, including a disaster in 1893 when a fire in the colliery led to the deaths of 63 men and boys. The colliery closed in 1983, but while the pit and its shafts may have been closed, the immaculate Engine remains at the site.
Local Councillor and Trustee of the site, Tina Leyshon said……..
“The Preservation Trust is very proud that Citrus Arts is working with us to put on this event for our local community. We hope to carry this work on, creating partnerships with local communities and organisations to keep the Hetty winding house for future generations”
NOW AND EVER MORE will be at The Great Western Colliery ‘Hetty Pit’ this Friday 14th and Saturday 15th of October at 7pm. Tickets are £5 and available HERE. There is limited capacity available, so we suggest you get your tickets now.
And you can find out more about the highly acclaimed Citrus Arts HERE.
The team are making every effort to make this event as physically accessible as possible. This historical site is not fully renovated, and the ground is uneven. We will lay plastic flooring in some areas and can provide some limited car parking spaces for disabled guests who cannot use the shuttle bus.
The meeting points for the event will be at the colliery for those on foot, and minibus collection points at Pontypridd Train Station and Barry Sidings Car Park. Times and details will be confirmed to ticket holders after booking.
This show is recommended for people over the age of 8. Babes in arms welcome but they don’t recommend buggies due to the terrain.
Access to the site is severely limited- there is no vehicle drop off nor any parking on site, but there will be minibus shuttles provided. They will pick up from:
Pontypridd Train Station (out front) at: 18:15
and Hopkinstown Hall, Foundry Rd at: 18:25
Barry Sidings Carpark at: 18:30, 18:40 and 18:50
You cannot cross the A4058 near the Hetty site. To attend this event you will need to get one of the shuttle buses listed above.
