words: Dave Hughes
Small Change, a play by the great Cardiff-born Peter Gill OBE, is set to get its first Welsh production in over 30 years.
A story based on family life, Small Change tells the tale of two friends, Gerard and Vincent, who spend their days swimming down by the docks, skipping school and thieving duck eggs. But soon real live begins to smother their childhood and their mothers feel the strain of neglectful husbands.
Directed by Amy Hodge, the play is said to be Gill’s finest work.
“Small Change is essentially a story of life in post war Cardiff; how fun it could be for kids, how tough it could be for mothers and how fundamentally we are all shaped and often trapped by the events of our past,” says Amy. “It’s very clearly based in the Tremorfa area of Cardiff, where Peter Gill himself grew up, and is filled with rich imagery of Cardiff as it used to be. It’s a beautifully written play showing Peter, one of Wales’ leading playwrights, at his best. I’m excited to be part of the team that stages it in Cardiff for the first time since the 1970s.”
Gill’s career is varied and colourful, seeing him appear on both stage and screen, as well as holding many respected and influential Directorate roles.
Small Change will open to at Sherman theatre, Cardiff for the first time from Fri 20 March–Sat 11 April staring Ifan Meredith, son of Ioan Meredith, who starred in Small Change at The Sherman in the 1970s (the only other known Welsh production of the play). Kenny Doughty, Lisa Palfrey and Bafta Cymru award-winning actress, Helen Griffin, also star.
Preview are being held 20th–11th April. Tickets: £12, £10, £8 (£10, £8, £6 for Preview performances). Info: 029 2064 6900 / at www.shermancymru.co.uk.
