Drama training and performance relies so much on being together and responding to each other in a physical space – so how do we do that and share students’ work with our audiences when we can’t yet open our doors to the public?
As a training establishment the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama can continue creating theatre (within COVID-19 guidelines) when all venues in Wales are still dark (RWCMD has special permission from Welsh Government to do this). During the Christmas countdown the College presented five plays, some of which can be seen by audiences online from this week, brought together by teams of student actors, stage managers, designers, scenic artists, constructors, and costume designers. All are supported and supervised by a team of staff committed to enabling the students to have a real experience, even with small, invited audiences.
RWCMD Plays Available Via Website
RWCMD’s first In Camera season, Twelfth Night Remembered, based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Statements After an Arrest Under the Immorality Act and The Moors, were performed last term, under strict COVID-19 conditions. Alongside this they were shot in differing styles, from NT Live style multi camera format to a single hand-held camera filming in a single shot, available as videos on demand on the College’s website in January, the productions will be available to a much wider audience.
Two other plays featuring the MA actors, (In the Blood, written by Suzan-Lori Parks, directed by Lekan Lawal and Yen by Anna Jordan, directed by Zoë Waterman), and the annual Musical Theatre Christmas Cabaret, will be shared with the industry.
Earlier last term the Richard Burton Company’s inaugural Royal Welsh Short Film Festival, showcasing original scripts written by leading writers and filmed by a professional film crew, also premiered online.
How To Watch RWCMD On Camera Season
The Richard Burton Company In Camera Season will be available online from January 19th.
The Moors by Jen Silverman, directed by Patricia Logue
- Video on Demand – Watch Online
- Online premiere: Tuesday 19 January at 7.30pm
- Available until Sunday 24 January
- Tickets: £5
Statements After an Arrest Under the Immorality Act by Athol Fugard, directed by Nicholai La Barrie
- Video on Demand – Watch Online
- Online premiere: Thursday 21 January at 7.30pm
- Available until Tuesday 26 January
- Tickets: £5
Twelfth Night Remembered, based on William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, directed by Jonathan Munby
- Video on Demand – Watch Online
- Online premiere: Saturday 23 January at 7.30pm
- Available until Sunday 31 January
- Tickets: £5
- For tickets and further information, visit www.rwcmd.ac.uk/whatson