{"id":70015,"date":"2024-12-12T16:06:52","date_gmt":"2024-12-12T16:06:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/?p=70015"},"modified":"2024-12-12T16:06:54","modified_gmt":"2024-12-12T16:06:54","slug":"the-politics-of-art-welsh-language-theatre-finds-itself-at-a-crossroads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2024\/12\/12\/the-politics-of-art-welsh-language-theatre-finds-itself-at-a-crossroads\/","title":{"rendered":"The politics of art: Welsh-language theatre finds itself at a crossroads"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Welsh-language theatre is grappling with funding cuts and demands of the Cymraeg 2050 initiative while trying to remain an art form first<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-70016\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2-1366x768.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2-1400x787.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2.jpg 2032w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-70016\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2-1366x768.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2-1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2-1400x787.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/feature-image-2.jpg 2032w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pontypool and Nye are plays by Welsh artists that drew in large audiences this year. Photo credit: Magda Patynska<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\" style=\"font-size:16px\">On a stage of a small theatre in Wales, actors rehearse lines in a language spoken by only a fraction of the country\u2019s 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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>As said by Wyn Mason, a Welsh-language writer, \u201cThere\u2019s a buoyancy to Welsh-language theatre, good quality productions are being produced and there\u2019s a confidence and an optimism there despite setbacks.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet, Mason also acknowledges the challenges: \u201cThere\u2019s 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.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Funding squeeze<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The main organisation providing public funding for the arts in Wales is the Arts Council of Wales. As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cd0gkkv220yo\">reported by the BBC<\/a>, \u201cArts Council of Wales has received a 40% cut in funding in real terms since 2010.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For theatre funding in Wales, the big players are the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaltheatrewales.org\/search\">National Theatre Wales <\/a>that mainly focuses on English-language theatre, and <a href=\"https:\/\/theatr.cymru\">Theatr Cymru<\/a> (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\u2019 annual funding of over \u00a31.6 million. Meanwhile, as reported by The Stage, Theatr Cymru maintained its funding levels from previous years.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the drastic cuts to funding, it would seem that Welsh-language theatre isn\u2019t 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFrom a writer\u2019s point of view, the opportunities are dropping off. I think we\u2019re at a cliff\u2019s edge,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2024\/11\/04\/review-pontypool\/\">Hefin Robinson<\/a>, Welsh-language playwright.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cymraeg 2050&nbsp;<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>While funding is shrinking, the pressure on Welsh-language theatre doesn\u2019t stop there. The Cymraeg 2050 initiative adds another layer of complexity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cymraeg 2050 was first set out  in 2016, and its goal is to achieve a million Welsh-language speakers by 2050. In the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.wales\/sites\/default\/files\/publications\/2018-12\/cymraeg-2050-welsh-language-strategy.pdf\">official document<\/a> published by the government, culture and arts are listed under one of the three strategic themes identified as pertinent to achieving this vision.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As pointed out by Robinson, Welsh &#8220;is quite useful\u201d when it comes to applying for public funding. Welsh-language theatre is also an easier industry to get into, he says, with less competition.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>There\u2019s always a political dimension to writing in Welsh<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>So, while the Cymraeg 2050 initiative brings attention to the Welsh language, it also raises concerns for theatre-makers. \u201cThere\u2019s always a danger of Welsh becoming a means to an end,\u201d reflects Emyr John, Creative Engagement Associate at Theatr Clwyd. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At Theatr Clwyd, the focus is on valuing the language as part of the artistic process. \u201cWe want to drive the Welsh language as something valuable, as opposed to something that ticks a box for us to get a grant. It\u2019s certainly not what the future holds for us,\u201d says John.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Magda_Feature-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-70017\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Magda_Feature-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Magda_Feature-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Magda_Feature-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Magda_Feature-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Magda_Feature.jpg 1346w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Magda_Feature-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-70017\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Magda_Feature-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Magda_Feature-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Magda_Feature-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Magda_Feature-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/Magda_Feature.jpg 1346w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An exciting time for theatre lovers in Cardiff &#8211; Hamilton playing in the Wales Millenium Centre from 26 November until 25 January. Photo credit: Alanya Smith<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shifting sands&nbsp;<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>From Gwenlyn Parry\u2019s 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. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In recent years, however, there has been a significant shift in themes explored by Welsh theatre-makers.\u00a0After all, for Welsh-language theatre to survive, it needs to appeal to audiences, especially the younger generation. As pointed out by John, \u201cIt\u2019s not just about money, it\u2019s also about community engagement.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>John highlights one successful attempt at engaging younger audiences \u2013 a Welsh-language production of Fleabag, a critically acclaimed 2016 BBC drama written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. \u201cIt toured in Wales last year, and was very much about targeting a younger demographic,\u201d he says. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This production, and many others produced by local Welsh theatres, shows the growing movement toward more authentic storytelling in Welsh-language theatre. \u201cI think there\u2019s been a push towards authenticity and making sure that the right people are telling the right stories,\u201d says Robinson. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h6>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover has-luminous-vivid-orange-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-fecfa33caddc312509151dec49e083d0\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-60 has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(252,185,0) 18%,rgb(255,105,0) 100%)\"><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-70114\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/sunshine-yellow-556-blush-vinyl-flooring-far_grande.jpg\" style=\"object-position:60% 31%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"60% 31%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/sunshine-yellow-556-blush-vinyl-flooring-far_grande.jpg 600w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/sunshine-yellow-556-blush-vinyl-flooring-far_grande-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/sunshine-yellow-556-blush-vinyl-flooring-far_grande-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/sunshine-yellow-556-blush-vinyl-flooring-far_grande-293x293.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/sunshine-yellow-556-blush-vinyl-flooring-far_grande-390x390.jpg 390w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/sunshine-yellow-556-blush-vinyl-flooring-far_grande-585x585.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-70114\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/sunshine-yellow-556-blush-vinyl-flooring-far_grande.jpg\" style=\"object-position:60% 31%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"60% 31%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/sunshine-yellow-556-blush-vinyl-flooring-far_grande.jpg 600w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/sunshine-yellow-556-blush-vinyl-flooring-far_grande-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/sunshine-yellow-556-blush-vinyl-flooring-far_grande-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/sunshine-yellow-556-blush-vinyl-flooring-far_grande-293x293.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/sunshine-yellow-556-blush-vinyl-flooring-far_grande-390x390.jpg 390w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2024\/12\/sunshine-yellow-556-blush-vinyl-flooring-far_grande-585x585.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/noscript><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\"> <strong>What do Welsh writers have to say about the Welsh language? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a5aa6107c71243467352a0e0a31e6912\">&#8220;Quite often, I think, plays that weren&#8217;t originally written in English but, for example, in Russian, French, or Italian, translate better into Welsh.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Emsdoomsday\">Emyr John<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-00adef4b3b43f1c99cc4669c821c52ae\">&#8220;I find that, in the Welsh language, it&#8217;s sometimes easier to explore the stuff inside your head. I find monologues a lot easier to write in Welsh than English.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/HefinRobinson\">Hefin Robinson<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b3274e5a35ac508820df179345df592b\">&#8220;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.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/WynMason1\">Wyn Mason <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What the future holds&nbsp;<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>It seems to be that the smaller the stage, the higher the stakes. Welsh-language theatre is not just an art form\u2014it\u2019s a cultural lifeline. And it persists, driven by the creativity and passion of its artists, despite the challenges and changes on the horizon. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Welsh-language theatre to thrive, it must continue telling stories that resonate\u2014not just with a nation, but with individuals. Whether in Cardiff or on a small stage in rural Wales, Welsh-language theatre\u2019s future will depend not only on funding or policy but on its ability to remain authentic, innovative, and human.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To quote Robinson: \u201cAt its heart, Welsh-language is my comfort place, somewhere I\u2019m always going to come back to.\u201d 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. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch this explainer video for a quick recap of the story:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Check out my feature article on Alt.Cardiff to find out more about the Welsh-language theatre scene and the challenges it\u2019s facing. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/jZE4IDxpOy\">pic.twitter.com\/jZE4IDxpOy<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Magda (@magda_journo) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/magda_journo\/status\/1867231646069534739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 12, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote> \n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welsh-language theatre is grappling with funding cuts and demands of the Cymraeg 2050 initiative while trying to remain an art form first <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1197,"featured_media":70016,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7087,7936],"tags":[8218,220,8219,638,8217],"coauthors":[8078],"class_list":["post-70015","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-long-reads","category-public-life","tag-cymraeg-2050","tag-national-theatre-wales","tag-theatr-cymru","tag-theatre","tag-welsh-language-2"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Welsh-language theatre at a crossroads<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Welsh-language theatre stands at a crossroads, grappling with challenges and trying to remain an art form 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