Christopher Orton is coming straight home to Wales after the West End run of Monty Python’s Spamalot to see his play performed as part of Michael Kelligan’s On The Edge season.
At Chapter, Cardiff Arts Centre on Tues 11 Sept, The Road To The Port Of Barry written by Orton and fellow Welsh writer Robert Gould is the opening work in Kelligan’s acclaimed project of script-held performances of plays by mainly Welsh and Wales-based authors.
Under his stage name of Kit Orton, Chepstow-born Chris made his West End debut in July 2012 in the role of Lancelot in Spamalot. Trained at the Royal Northern College Of Music and The Royal Academy Of Music, Chris has a long list of theatre credits and he has appeared at various concert and cabaret venues in London, performing his own songs and other pieces of new musical theatre writing.
Swansea University graduate Robert – a former teacher and author of school history books – wrote the book and lyrics for three musicals with composer Ty. With co-librettist/lyricist Jimmy Granstrom and composers Filip von Uexkull, Ty Kroll and Tristan Bons, he wrote The Dying Game, a musical which speaks for the victims of HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Together, Orton and Gould have written a number of musicals, including Elephant Juice, Grace Notes, Based On A True Story and My Land’s Shore. In addition to The Road To The Port Of Barry, Bob and Chris have also collaborated on plays Independence Dai and The Shed.
Chris said, “”I have been performing in Spamalot for the last two years and I didn’t think it was possible to top the buzz of going out and performing comedy to different audiences every night and soaking in the laughs and the enjoyment of the crowd.
“It’s a real labour of love for the both of us. We have wanted to see this piece on the stage for a long time. I always thought I would have to be in it for that to happen but I am happy to be in the audience this time. Watching these extremely talented guys taking on the material.”
The second new On The Edge production will be Moist by Cardiff-based writer Neil Bebber, a one-man show featuring Nathan Sussex from Newport. This will be followed by the first production of Mog by young writer Aled Roberts and features the directing debut of much featured On The Edge actor James Ashton. The final production of the season will be I Am Angela Brazil by Lucinda Coxon.
On The Edge Autumn 2012 Tour Dates:
The Road To Barry Port by Christopher Orton and Robert Gould. Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Tues 11 Sept; Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea, Wed Sept 12 and The Riverfront, Newport, Thurs 13 Sept.
Moist by Neil Bebber. Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Tues 9 Oct; Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea, Wed 10 Oct, and The Riverfront, Newport, Thurs 11 Oct as part of the Comedy Port Festival.
Mog by Aled Roberts. Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Tues 6 Nov and The Riverfront, Newport, Thurs 8 Nov.
I Am Angela Brazil by Lucinda Coxon. Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Tues 11 Dec; The Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea, Weds 12 Dec; The Riverfront, Newport, Thurs 13 Dec.