Rhiannon Boyle, writer of Anfamol, has had a bountiful 2021 so far. Having been selected as BBC Wales Writer In Residence in 2019, the resultant work, a play titled Safe From Harm, was broadcast by Radio 4 this January. August’s livestreamed version of the Edinburgh Fringe included Kill Me Now, a comedy written by Boyle with theatre company Dirty Protest. And autumn finds Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru taking her latest play on the road, with Anfamol visiting eight Welsh locations (in order: Cardiff, Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardigan, Llanelli, Swansea, Rhosllanerchrugog and Caernarfon) over three weeks.
It’s a tale of motherhood, pandemics and societal expectations, seen through the singular lens of Ani, the mother in question. Affluent yet dissatisfied with life, with her singledom and extended family issues contributing to this, she chooses pregnancy via sperm donor. Shortly after giving birth, Wales goes into lockdown and it’s just her and the baby, at home. A life change, but not the type Ani was hoping for.
With its protagonist played by Bethan Ellis Owen, best known for her Pobl Y Cwm starring role, Anfamol is a Welsh-language production (a first for Boyle) – though Sibrwd, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s language access app, is available for real-time English translations.
Anfamol tours to the following venues:
Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, Wed 29 Sept-Sat 2 Oct. Tickets: £11.50-£16.50. Info: here
Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Tue 5 + Wed 6 Oct. Tickets: £10-£15. Info: here
Pontio, Bangor, Fri 8 + Sat 9 Oct. Tickets: £10-£15. Info: here
Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan, Tue 12 Oct. Tickets: £10-£15. Info: here
Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea, Sat 16 Oct. Tickets: £15/£12. Info: here
Y Stiwt, Rhosllanerchrugog, Tue 19 Oct. Tickets: £10-£15. Info: here
Galeri, Caernarfon, Thurs 21 + Fri 22 Oct. Tickets: £10-£15. Info: here
words NOEL GARDNER
