Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Tue 17-Sat 28 May
In association with the Wales Millennium Centre, Welsh performance company Volcano bring their original production Black Stuff to Cardiff. Set against the unique backdrop of Cardiff Bay, the production in the plaza takes the audience on a journey through the working life of those who day in day out devoted their lives to the coal mining industry, exploring how the industry shaped South Wales. The show’s dark, grimy themes are juxtaposed by the enigmatic architecture around it, igniting the forbidding motifs examined in the production, including life, coal and politics. Volcano, known for being one of Wales more inventive performance companies, has taken inspiration for Black Stuff from a surreal short story from Welsh writer Dai Alexander, The Hangman’s Assistant, and the production endeavours to portray the memories described in the tale. The production uses tools, objects, real coal and real people to help reflect the subjects of the story, and to create an all sensory experience for the audience. The subjects touched upon shovel Welsh history and culture down the mouth of audience members, and thirty years after the miners’ strike there is plenty of pent up information waiting to be absorbed. Dirt and grime at the ready, you might want to wear sensible shoes.
Tickets: £12 Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk
(AP)