Elan Davies and Rebecca Wilson have been announced as the cast for the world premiere of Imrie by Nia Morais, one of the most exciting voices in Welsh theatre. Imrie is a co-production between Sherman Theatre and Frân Wen. Gethin Evans, Artistic Director of Frân Wen, directs this magical story for young adults and upwards about hope and bravery.
Elan Davies will play Laura. Rebecca Wilson, familiar to Sherman Theatre audiences for her performances as Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and in multiple roles in Elen Benfelen / Goldilocks, will play Laura’s sister Josie. Rebecca’s credits also include the UK and Ireland tour of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (National Theatre / Frantic Assembly).
The creative team is completed by Composer Eädyth, Lighting Designer Ceri James (Tylwyth Sherman Theatre & Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru; Ynys Alys Frân Wen) and Sound Designer Sam Jones. Enfys Clara is Assistant Director.
Director Gethin Evans said: “Imrie was originally developed through an artist development programme Frân Wen ran with Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru and Literature Wales. Nia brings a fresh, new and cool perspective on the experiences of young people today and we can’t wait to share this shamelessly fantastical story that sets a new tone for Welsh language theatre.”
Josie discovers a magical underwater party that’s better than any human party ever. It’s a world where she finds her true self – and Imrie Sallow. Above the water she feels lost in a world where she doesn’t belong, with a sister who wants her to be ‘happy and normal’. But a family secret emerges from the shadows of the ethereal world that changes everything.
Imrie is Nia Morais’ debut full-length play which follows her first short play Crafangau/ Claws released during the 2020 lockdowns as part of Sherman Theatre’s Heart of Cardiff audio series and later staged in outdoor performances, as well as her work adapting A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Welsh alongside Mari Izzard in October 2022.
Audiences across Wales will have the opportunity to experience this magical fable. Following its initial performances at Sherman Theatre (11-20 May), Imrie will tour across the country, visiting Pontardawe, Aberystwyth, Caernarfon, Mold, Bangor, Milford Haven, Newport and Garth Olwg, Pontypridd. With captions in English at every performance, Welsh-learners, new Welsh speakers and non-Welsh speakers can follow the show throughout.
Imrie runs at the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff from 11 – 20 May 2023
All performances are captioned with a BSL Interpreted performance on 17 May at 7.30pm
For further details visit shermantheatre.co.uk | 029 2064 6900
Imrie Tour:
- 23 Mai / Mai Canolfan Celfyddydau Pontardawe Arts Centre pontardaweartscentre.com 01792 863722
- 24 May / Mai Canolfan y Celfyddydau Aberystwyth Arts Centre aberystwythartscentre.co.uk 01970 623232
- 25 – 26 May / Mai Galeri, Caernarfon galericaernarfon.com 01286 685222
- 6 June / Mehefin Theatr Clwyd, Wyddgrug / Mold theatrclwyd.com 01352 344101
- 7 – 8 June / Mehefin Pontio, Bangor pontio.co.uk 01248 382828
- 10 June / Mehefin Theatr Torch / Torch Theatre, Aberdaugleddau / Milford Haven torchtheatre.co.uk 01646 695267
- 14 June / Mehefin Glan yr Afon / The Riverfront, Casnewydd / Newport newportlive.co.uk 01633 656757
- 15 June / Mehefin Yr Egin, Caerfyrddin / Carmarthen yregin.cymru 01267 611600
- 16 June / Mehefin Canolfan Garth Olwg Centre Pontypridd gartholwg.org 01443 570 075