Cardiff Arts Institute
Sunday 20 June
Imagine your typical festival. People from all walks of life and from each and every corner of the land come together to share interests and skills, often while rolling about in mud. This is the very atmosphere that Undeb skilfully manage to distil and pack into Cardiff Arts Institute in their much anticipated, and wonderfully accomplished, Identity festival.
Apart from the lack of mud and comforting absence of porta-loos, what truly differentiated Identity from the aforementioned ‘typical’ festival was its specificity to the wonderfully homely city of Cardiff. Works collected as part of National Theatre Wales’ Cardiff assembly were showcased by Undeb’s directors Tom Cullen and Alex Vlahos; Tom Beardshaw hung photos of festival goers on a washing line, creating an alternative passport for all those brave enough to pose; and local comedian Kyle Lima discussed his childhood in Splott, reminiscing on the times spent idolising the big kids who stood in the corner blowing spit bubbles and his days spent snorting chalk in Welsh class.
In their rich variety, the performers throughout this day truly sculpted a community vibe to set off the discussions of identity. Undeb’s short theatrical pieces provided short and warm insights into familiar sights and sounds in the city, the creatives behind the poetry workshops succeeded in making a fun atmosphere where all recollections were welcome and Lima instantly proved himself a clear master of stand-up as he took complete control of the stage, yet maintained a sense of approachable charm.
In a brave venture which enveloped the entire project, four local playwrights created Cardiff-centric pieces in just four hours. Taking snippets of information and inspiration provided by festival goers, Alan Harris, Kit Cambert, Branwen Davies and Tracy Harry succeeded in fashioning witty works to supplement the exciting feel of the day. After a quick glance at the script, the actors invited by Undeb put the finishing touches to the collaborative feel of the festival with their scripts in hand. Overspilling with creativity and as fresh as a simile, this is fast-theatre at its finest.
If Undeb set out to discuss who we are with unquestionable style and humour, then they have certainly succeeded in their aims with a festival that encouraged us to recognise our identity as Cardiff citizens. What a delightful identity that is, too.
