The Nightingales
What better place for Ruth Jones (Stella, Gavin & Stacey) to make a rare stage appearance than in Cardiff’s New Theatre? She stars as Maggie in William Gaminara’s (Silent Witness) sparkling new comedy, which focuses on the weekly meetings of a small village acapella group. Maggie soon turns the group into something they never quite expected to be. It’s a fresh role for Ruth Jones after co-writing and starring in the successful series Stella, which she looks back on with “massive affection and great love”.
What was it about The Nightingales, her first stage appearance in 12 years, which drew her to the role? “I hadn’t planned to do any theatre again to be honest,” Jones says, “but William Gaminara got in touch with me asking if I’d read his play. I absolutely fell in love with it. There’s no way I could’ve turned down the opportunity to be a part of it.”
The acapella group is a mishmash of characters, led by the Cambridge-educated choirmaster Stephen. The colourful choir includes his younger ex-model wife Diane, her ex-husband Ben and history teacher Bruno. The group appear to be a friendly and welcoming bunch who are united by a love of music, despite their differences and problems at home. Whatever goes in their private lives, the two hours of rehearsals fly by – until one day Maggie arrives and changes the future of the group as they know it, urging them onwards, testing loyalties and tempers along the way.
“It’s a really compelling story, with fascinating characters, who, as an audience member you can never be 100 percent sure about,” Jones says. “The play is funny and touching and poignant and tense, which I reckon is a healthy combination of qualities for a great night out at the theatre.”
This is of course, Ruth Jones’ return to the state. What’s the difference? “On TV you do scenes, or bits of scenes, over and over again, so you have to work hard to stay focused on what you’re doing. Onstage, you go on a journey from scene one to the end. I also love getting to know the rest of the cast and working together as a team.”
words Chloe Edwards
New Theatre, Cardiff, Mon 19-Sat 24 Nov. Tickets: £18-£38. Info: 029 2087 8889 / www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
