New Welsh language musical Branwen: Dadeni to visit stages across Wales

A new Welsh language musical has been announced which will visit stages across Wales in 2023.

Wales Millennium Centre and Frân Wen will join forces to present Branwen: Dadeni, wwritten by Hanna Jarman, Elgan Rhys and Seiriol Davies, with lyrics and music by Seiriol Davies.

A contemporary reimagining of the legendary yet tragic tale of Branwen, from the ancient mythical tales of the Mabinogion, the musical will open at Wales Millennium Centre’s Donald Gordon Theatre (8 – 11 November) before travelling to Aberystwyth Arts Centre (15 – 17 November) and Pontio Arts Centre, Bangor (22 – 25 November).

A dispersed kingdom. A corrupt monarchy. A new generation desperate for change. Branwen: Dadeni is an epic Welsh language musical which brings one of our most well-known legends into the contemporary world.

After a bloody civil war, the Llŷr family control Cedyrn. Branwen, the charismatic young princess who has won the people’s hearts, is eager to move her country forward, but her brother, the king, won’t listen.

During an unexpected visit by the King of Ireland, she sees her opportunity: escape to a progressive and prosperous country where her voice will count and she’ll have the power to change things. But, as her star rises, every bargain, betrayal and body leads her deeper into the darkness, until, on the brink of ruin, the price becomes clear.

What would you sacrifice to create a just world?

Branwen: Dadeni is directed by Frân Wen’s Artistic Director, Gethin Evans, (Ynys Alys and Faust & Greta for Frân Wen; live performance artistic director for GALWAD) who leads an outstanding team of creative talent from across Wales and beyond.

The creative team includes set and costume designer Elin Steele (The Scandal at Mayerling, Dextera and the upcoming Cinderella for Scottish Ballet; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hero of the People, Woof for Sherman Theatre), lighting designer Bretta Gerecke (Lady in the Dark for Opera Zuid; set & lighting design on Coming to England for Birmingham Rep; set, lighting, costume & projection design on The Invisible for Catalyst Theatre), orchestrator Owain Gruffudd Roberts (leader of contemporary 9-piece Llareggub Brass Band; regular arranger for BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh Pops Orchestra and S4C) and casting director Hannah Marie Williams (The Cost of Living for National Theatre Wales, live and theatre casting for GALWAD).

Gethin Evans said: “I’m thrilled to be sharing the news of our brand-new musical with the phenomenal Wales Millennium Centre – a partnership that is key to our development of new work of scale in the Welsh language.

“Reimagining the myth of Branwen has been quite the journey, floored in our first workshop by the potential contemporary relevance of a tale we had all heard romanticised as children. Finding the humanity in these myth-like figures to unlock its themes of power, grief, and family with such an incredibly talented creative team is a real privilege.

“I look forward to sharing the epic score and heart-wrenching story with audiences in Cardiff, Aberystwyth and Bangor through our strategic touring partners Aberystwyth Arts Centre and Pontio Arts.”

Artistic Director of Wales Millennium Centre, Graeme Farrow added: “I’m extremely excited to be working with Frân Wen in this landmark undertaking for Welsh language new writing in this genre, on this scale.

“This collaboration is of huge importance to us as we embark on our largest Welsh language production to date, based on a much-loved world-famous Welsh tale, re-told for our times. I can’t wait to see this brilliant adaptation of Branwen, written by Hanna, Elgan and Seiriol, being brought to life on stages across the country, by our wonderful team of Welsh creative talent.”

For more information and tickets, visit www.wmc.org.uk, aberystwythartscentre.co.uk and pontio.co.uk