Saer Doliau
Saer Doliau (Doll-Mender) by Gwenlyn Parry
English premiere
3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 February 2013
Saer Doliau was performed in Welsh with English surtitles.
Cast Catherine Ayers, Steffan Donnelly, Seiriol Tomos
Director Aled Pedrick
Giaffar, dach chi’n gwrando arna i? Deudwch rwbath. Deudwch rwbath tasa fo ddim ond pesychu i ddeud ych bod chi yna.
Boss, are you listening to me? Say something. Say something, even if it’s only a cough to say you’re there.
★★★★ The Arts Desk
★★★★ The Public Reviews
★★★★ Everything Theatre
★★★★ Snipe London
“In just over an hour … tradition, faith and superstition, the march of progress and the sexual revolution are inspected through a woozy, distorting prism.”
The Arts Desk
“This gently updated (rock music and an iPad) production, directed in lively fashion by Aled Pedrick for Invertigo, is a witty mixture of black comedy, parable and a Roald Dahl-style tale of the unexpected.”
The Western Mail
Under the lively direction of Aled Pedrick for Invertigo, all three actors prove themselves to be adept comic performers and also seem to be having great fun in an infectious manner that soon spreads to their guests beyond the fourth wall.
British Theatre Guide
Doll mender Ifans is peacefully at work in his wood workshop in rural Wales. Until suddenly his entire life is ripped apart by the unannounced intrusion of two strangers, a Girl and a Lad. As they torment him with their own secret agenda and mind games, Ifans loses his grip on his reality, leaving him adrift in a world which is changed too quickly. As the two strangers play one final deadly game, Ifans is left questioning the purpose of his entire existence…
This Welsh-language classic from 1966 is a fascinating study of our obsession with modernisation, the role of women in society and racial prejudice, while also asking searching questions about our conscience and existence itself.
Dyma’r tro cyntaf i’r ddrama hon gael ei pherfformio yn broffesiynol yn Lloegr. Menter feiddgar ydy hon, ond mae Invertigo yn hyderus y bydd hi’n dangos pa mor bwysig a nwyfus ydy’r iaith yn y Gymru newydd.
Fellow Welshman, Olivier Award-winning actor and Guildhall graduate Daniel Evans (Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres) has said: “I’m struck by Invertigo’s infectious passion for the European repertoire and cannot wait for their inaugural production of a classic from the Welsh canon.”
Matthew Rhys (Brothers & Sisters, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Patagonia) says “This incredible play as did this incredible playwright had an enormous influence on me. Wishing the Invertigo company all the success that they and this amazing piece deserve.”
Bryn Terfel supports us: “I’m delighted to hear about Invertigo’s production, which is a first in London by this exciting new company. Having sung in various European languages in opera, it’s refreshing to see that Invertigo is broadening the cultural range open to British audiences. Invertigo are innovative , and I look forward to following their progress in the years ahead.”
The First Minister of Wales, the Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM has wished us “best of luck” with our production of Saer Doliau.
A mae Dafydd Iwan yn ein cefnogi:
