Golygfeydd O’r Pla Du was not one of the most anticipated works to come out of 2023, but it is easily one of the most exciting from where I’m sitting. It’s a Welsh-language play that skilfully integrates English captioning, embraces humour and satire, and offers an alternative to the “Wales is full of sad, working-class people in sad, working-class hovels” narratives that have been thrust upon us repeatedly since well before the pandemic, and don’t seem to be showing any signs of stopping.
Actually, considering they’re living through the worst pandemic in history, the residents of Pentreufargirec are surprisingly chipper. The play is set in a fictional medieval village in the middle of the Black Death plague: a local landowner has just died, and Tom, a conman with no surname, is looking for a way to make this grim situation work in his favour. Cue chaos as he hatches plan after to plan to trick the residents and raise his status. Meanwhile, local revolutionary Mari Anni is trying to change the system, and take Tom down with it.
The play has an over-arching narrative with sketches within it, similar to the structure of Monty Python And The Holy Grail (but with less knights and more peasants). Chris Harris’ script is unassumingly stylish and well-constructed: Golygfeydd… is chaotic, clever and bold, with the right balance of satire and straight-up silliness. Not as overtly political as something like The Thick Of It, think Horrible Histories with less history and more political jokes. It is purposely messy, with well-designed slip-ups and a set that looks like it came straight out of a school play. The four cast members take on the challenge of staging over 40 characters with raucous aplomb, and the whole thing is a perfect whirlwind from start to finish.
The cast are, by far, the best thing about the show – in no small part because they basically are the show. Anni Dafydd’s multiroling is second-to-none and her surreal, comic presence is a joy throughout. Alis Wyn Davies shines throughout the show, her bold presence as Mari is refreshing and the other characters she plays are wickedly funny. Iwan Charles brings grounding and pathos to the group; his characters are as overwhelmingly adorable as they are overwhelmingly stupid. Berwyn Pearce plays the loveable villain with skill; he leads the performance well and deftly balances the energy of other performers.
The thing I found most impressive was the performance’s use of Sibrwd, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s language translation app. Sibrwd always works well, but the addition of little in-jokes that only those with the app would be privy to made it feel as though English speakers weren’t just welcome, but included. The BSL interpreter was also incorporated into the show in some parts, which was lovely to see. It’s clear that Harris and the team have thought about accessibility, and made sure all audience members have their own unique experience with the production.
So, should you see Golygfeydd O’r Pla Du? I would suggest you do, regardless of whether you speak Welsh or not. Chris Harris and Theatr Sir Gâr have done something exciting but also really joyous with this production. This is a break from the norm that you do not want to miss.
Golygfeydd O’r Pla Du, Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli, Fri 5 May
Touring Wales until Fri 26 May. Tickets: prices vary but £14/£12 at most venues. Info: here
words HARI BERROW photos KIRSTEN MCTERNAN
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