Welsh-language theatre is grappling with funding cuts and demands of the Cymraeg 2050 initiative while trying to remain an art form first
On a stage of a small theatre in Wales, actors rehearse lines in a language spoken by only a fraction of the country’s population. Their words echo with centuries of history, yet the future feels uncertain. In most local theatres in Cardiff, there is a determination to keep Welsh-language storytelling alive, to invite change and innovation.
As said by Wyn Mason, a Welsh-language writer, “There’s a buoyancy to Welsh-language theatre, good quality productions are being produced and there’s a confidence and an optimism there despite setbacks.”
Yet, Mason also acknowledges the challenges: “There’s always a political dimension to writing in Welsh. Whatever the topic of the play, there is also the topic of Welsh language politics, side by side.”
Funding squeeze
In recent years, funding for the arts has been dwindling. This is not a Wales specific issue, with the whole of UK struggling economically following the COVID-19 pandemic, although the hits might be more visible in Wales because of the theatre scene here being quite small.
The main organisation providing public funding for the arts in Wales is the Arts Council of Wales. As reported by the BBC, “Arts Council of Wales has received a 40% cut in funding in real terms since 2010.”
For theatre funding in Wales, the big players are the National Theatre Wales that mainly focuses on English-language theatre, and Theatr Cymru (formerly Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru), largely focused on the Welsh language. In September 2023, the theatre community was shocked when the Arts Council of Wales effectively cut off National Theatre Wales’ annual funding of over £1.6 million. Meanwhile, as reported by The Stage, Theatr Cymru maintained its funding levels from previous years.
Despite the drastic cuts to funding, it would seem that Welsh-language theatre isn’t in the worst place. However, as expressed by some Welsh-language playwrights, the existing funding might still not be enough, especially when compared to its pre-pandemic state.
“From a writer’s point of view, the opportunities are dropping off. I think we’re at a cliff’s edge,” says Hefin Robinson, Welsh-language playwright.
Cymraeg 2050
While funding is shrinking, the pressure on Welsh-language theatre doesn’t stop there. The Cymraeg 2050 initiative adds another layer of complexity.
Cymraeg 2050 was first set out in 2016, and its goal is to achieve a million Welsh-language speakers by 2050. In the official document published by the government, culture and arts are listed under one of the three strategic themes identified as pertinent to achieving this vision.
In the context of the arts then, Cymraeg 2050 could be described as a double-edged sword. With arts funding becoming harder to come by year by year, a danger Welsh-language theatre is facing is becoming a means to an end.
As pointed out by Robinson, Welsh “is quite useful” when it comes to applying for public funding. Welsh-language theatre is also an easier industry to get into, he says, with less competition.
There’s always a political dimension to writing in Welsh
So, while the Cymraeg 2050 initiative brings attention to the Welsh language, it also raises concerns for theatre-makers. “There’s always a danger of Welsh becoming a means to an end,” reflects Emyr John, Creative Engagement Associate at Theatr Clwyd.
At Theatr Clwyd, the focus is on valuing the language as part of the artistic process. “We want to drive the Welsh language as something valuable, as opposed to something that ticks a box for us to get a grant. It’s certainly not what the future holds for us,” says John.
Shifting sands
From Gwenlyn Parry’s 1978 play Y Twr (The Tower) to a more recent Branwen: Dadeni, staged at Wales Millenium Centre last year, Welsh-language theatre has always planted its feet firmly in tradition and preserving the Welsh culture.
In recent years, however, there has been a significant shift in themes explored by Welsh theatre-makers. After all, for Welsh-language theatre to survive, it needs to appeal to audiences, especially the younger generation. As pointed out by John, “It’s not just about money, it’s also about community engagement.”
John highlights one successful attempt at engaging younger audiences – a Welsh-language production of Fleabag, a critically acclaimed 2016 BBC drama written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. “It toured in Wales last year, and was very much about targeting a younger demographic,” he says.
This production, and many others produced by local Welsh theatres, shows the growing movement toward more authentic storytelling in Welsh-language theatre. “I think there’s been a push towards authenticity and making sure that the right people are telling the right stories,” says Robinson.
What do Welsh writers have to say about the Welsh language?
- “Quite often, I think, plays that weren’t originally written in English but, for example, in Russian, French, or Italian, translate better into Welsh.” – Emyr John
- “I find that, in the Welsh language, it’s sometimes easier to explore the stuff inside your head. I find monologues a lot easier to write in Welsh than English.” – Hefin Robinson
- “Strong connection with poetry is high at the totem pole in Welsh culture. Pieces that celebrate the poetry of the language tend to get staged, the quality of the writing is important, maybe more important in Welsh than in English.” – Wyn Mason
What the future holds
It seems to be that the smaller the stage, the higher the stakes. Welsh-language theatre is not just an art form—it’s a cultural lifeline. And it persists, driven by the creativity and passion of its artists, despite the challenges and changes on the horizon.
For Welsh-language theatre to thrive, it must continue telling stories that resonate—not just with a nation, but with individuals. Whether in Cardiff or on a small stage in rural Wales, Welsh-language theatre’s future will depend not only on funding or policy but on its ability to remain authentic, innovative, and human.
To quote Robinson: “At its heart, Welsh-language is my comfort place, somewhere I’m always going to come back to.” If artists with a genuine love for the language like Robinson continue to discover their voice, Welsh-language theatre will not only survive, but thrive.
Watch this explainer video for a quick recap of the story:
Check out my feature article on Alt.Cardiff to find out more about the Welsh-language theatre scene and the challenges it’s facing. pic.twitter.com/jZE4IDxpOy
— Magda (@magda_journo) December 12, 2024