Wales Millennium Centre announces public and digital screenings of Land of Our Fathers - their recent co-production with Theatre503 and Tara Finney Productions.

The Stage declared it ‘a masterpiece’ and it received their Critics Pick 2015.  Time Out stated it was ‘blisteringly good’ and awarded it their Fringe Show of the Year 2013.  With five stars from each and a plethora of fantastic national reviews from its UK tour, Chris Urch’s debut play, Land Of Our Fathers, has another opportunity to gain critical acclaim both online and at venues across the country.

A collaboration between Wales Millennium Centre, Theatre503 and Tara Finney Productions this emotive dark comedy brings to the fore the tragic stories of the mining industry in South Wales.  Directed by Paul Robinson and set in May 1979, set designer Signe Beckmann creates a cramped, coal-drenched environment in which the cast of 6 men act out their experience in the wake of a collapsed mine.  Trapped, claustrophobic and anxious, the miners share dark secrets, desperate humour and fear of death. 

The Space, which helps art organisation reach new audiences digitally, funded the filming of the performance at the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds – one of its UK tour venues.  The play was originally staged in Theatre503's 63-seat studio theatre (where Chris Urch was on attachment to their ‘503Five scheme’) co-produced by Tara Finney Productions before transferring to the West End and receiving its national tour in 2015.

The production was seen by over 6500 people in the UK and it is hoped the digital screening and public broadcast will cast this net much wider – generating greater exposure for made-in-Wales productions and sharing Wales Millennium Centre’s vision to inspire our nation and impress the world. 

Graeme Farrow, Creative Director at Wales Millennium Centre says “We are delighted The Space have supported us in being able to screen Land of our Fathers in four arts venues across Wales and on a digital platform to a global audience. This is one of the Centre’s first own productions and to have had such a great response from the tour highlights how we are achieving our vision and ambition to create more work and excel in all that we do.”

Tara Finney – with whom Wales Millennium Centre collaborated on this project - was also elated for the production to have gained such recognition.  Tara commented 'It is an absolute delight to continue to share this wonderful production with people nationwide and open this play up to a broader audience through the medium of cinema and online broadcasting. The team at Riverside Studios did a fantastic job of capturing and editing the production and I can't wait to see the show on the silver screen.'

Theatr Colwyn was the first of four locations across the country to screen the production in September.  It will be shown in Pontardawe Arts Centre and Wales Millennium Centre on the 1 November and Newbridge Memo on the 11 November.  The viewings are free of charge, but some venues may request you book tickets.

BBC Arts Online will stream the recording from Monday 14 November, alongside exclusive footage of interviews with Chris Urch and clips from the film.  This is a real coup for The Space who support projects that use technology to increase engagement and enjoyment of the arts. The production will also be available via www.tarafinney.com.

For more information & tickets, click here.

For more information and press enquiries about the digital screening of Land of Our Fathers please contact:

Angie McFarlane

SHO Online

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02079935472

For more information or press enquiries regarding Wales Millennium Centre and public screenings please contact:

Jayne Smith – Head of Communications

Wales Millennium Centre

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07852316267