The Wales Theatre Awards 2018 ceremony took place at the Riverfront in Newport on Saturday 27th January. The awards show, celebrating the best of opera, theatre and dance, created and performed in Wales, was presented by HTV legends Arfon Haines Davies and Nicola Heywood Thomas.
The show opened with a scene from Ballet Cymru’s timeless interpretation of A Child’s Christmas in Wales with music (and narration) by Cerys Matthews and Mason Neely which left the audience memorised and looking forward to watching the finished show this autumn.
On with the awards and a total of 563 nominations were made for 80 companies, 141 shows and 239 individual artists by critics throughout Wales.
” Wales Theatre Awards are a celebration of what we in Wales create, the people who devote their time to the performance and also the reviewers who share that enthusiasm and passion with audiences, give critical feedback and maybe just occasionally keep some egos in place.”
Mike Smith, Director Wales Theatre Awards and Wales Critic Fund
To mark the centenary of the final year of the First World War Sion Emyr recited Hedd Wyn’s poignant poem Rhyfel (War). Ellis Humphrey Evans, better known under his bardic name Hedd Wyn, was killed during the battle of Passchendaele in 1917.
Part 2 of the awards ceremony was opened by Daniel Llewellyn-Williams performing an extract from A Regular Little Houdini. Newport born Daniel later went on to win the Wales and the World award for the aforementioned solo show. It’s great to see Welsh theatre being shown around the world.
The final award of the evening was presented by actor, writer and director Simon Harris.
He handed over the Special Achievement award to Godfrey Evans, a former drama teacher who has helped shaped generations of actors through the West Glamorgan Youth Theatre, which he established.
Hollywood actor Michael Sheen, who was a pupil under Mr Evans, said in tribute to him:
“I owe not just my career to Godfrey Evans but also, and most importantly, my belief in what can be achieved when a community works together with common purpose. He has changed the lives of generations of young people, and brought possibility and greater opportunity to literally thousands of us. I will never be able to thank him enough or express fully how much I, and countless others, owe to him.”
In receiving his award, he said: “I am so grateful to the young people that I have been so lucky and so privileged to have worked with over the years.
“I am so grateful for your joy, for your ambition, for your humour, for your patience, for your energy, all are qualities which enrich theatre and the communities in which they work.”
Congratulations to Godfrey Evans. Many generations of young people have had their lives changed by the work and legacy of this man. And I am proud to say I was one of them. @wgytc #walestheatreawards2018 https://t.co/uW32KUNZPG
— michael sheen (@michaelsheen) January 27, 2018
There was some controversy ahead of the Welsh Theatre Awards. National Theatre Wales pulled out of the ceremony due to an open letter criticising the awards due to the shortlist “includ(ing) multiple nominations for shows which include white actors playing non-white roles.” It’s important to keep encouraging and campaigning for diversity throughout the arts and the Wales Critics Fund does it’s best to diversify the “critical writing” side of theatre by giving a voice to people who do not normally get to share their views and reactions on performances. The statutory funding bodies, theatre companies and theatres have more influence over the shows and casts that we see on stage to nominate for the awards ceremonies.
Brexit, Harvey Weinstein allegations and diversity were referenced by award winners. But, the overall feeling of the night was optimism and a time to make a change, work together and to keep making great theatre in Wales that is inclusive for all. Godfrey Evans received a well deserved standing ovation as he made the important reminder that “access to the arts is a right and not a privilege“.
Scroll down for the full list of awards and winners:
The Wales Theatre Awards 2018
Y Gwobrau Theatr Cymru 2018
WINNERS
DYLUNIO A / NEU GWISGOEDD GORAU
BEST DESIGN AND / OR COSTUME
Buddug James Jones & Anneliese Mowbray
Gwledd Gwyddno / The Sea King’s Feast
Cwmni Theatr Arad Goch
CYFARWYDDWR GORAU
BEST DIRECTOR
Tamara Harvey
Uncle Vanya
Theatr Clwyd & Sheffield Theatres
GOLEUO GORAU
BEST LIGHTING
Joe Fletcher,
Macbeth
Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru
SAIN GORAU
BEST SOUND
Lucy Rivers
Sinners Club
Gagglebabble
Theatr Clwyd & The Other Room
ENSEMBLE GORAU
BEST ENSEMBLE
Tiger Bay
Wales Millennium Centre / Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru
COREOGRAFFYDD GORAU
BEST CHOREOGRAPHER
Marcos Morau
Tundra
National Dance Company Wales / Cwmni Dawns Cenedlaethol Cymru
ARTIST DAWNS GORAU – MENYW
BEST FEMALE DANCE ARTIST
Anna Pujol
The Light Princess
Ballet Cymru, Catrin Finch & The Riverfront / Glan yr Afon
ARTIST DAWNS GORAU – GWRYW
BEST MALE DANCE ARTIST
Ed Myhill
Animatorium
National Dance Company Wales / Cwmni Dawns Cenedlaethol Cymru
CYNHYRCHIAD DAWNS GORAU
BEST DANCE PRODUCTION
Shadow Aspect
Ballet Cymru
CYNHYRCHIAD GORAU YN YR IAITH GYMRAEG
BEST PRODUCTION IN THE WELSH LANGUAGE
Wythnos yng Nghymru Fydd
Opra Cymru
PERFFORMIAD GORAU YN YR IAITH GYMRAEG – GWRYW
BEST PERFORMANCE IN THE WELSH LANGUAGE – MALE
Richard Lynch
Macbeth
Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru
PERFFORMIAD GORAU YN YR IAITH GYMRAEG – MENYW
BEST PERFORMANCE IN THE WELSH LANGUAGE – FEMALE
Caryl Morgan
Yfory
Theatr Bara Caws
PERFFORMIAD GORAU MEWN CYNHYRCHIAD OPERA – GWRYW
BEST MALE IN AN OPERA PRODUCTION
Simon Bailey
From the House of the Dead
Welsh National Opera / Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru
CYNHYRCHIAD OPERA GORAU
BEST OPERA PRODUCTION
Le Vin herbé
Welsh National Opera / Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru
PERFFORMIAD GORAU MEWN CYNHYRCHIAD OPERA – MENYWBEST FEMALE IN AN OPERA PRODUCTION
Natalya Romaniw
Eugene Onegin
Welsh National Opera / Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru
CYNHYRCHIAD GORAU YN YR IAITH SAESNEG
BEST PRODUCTION IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Uncle Vanya
Theatr Clwyd & Sheffield Theatres
PERFFORMIAD GORAU YN YR IAITH SAESNEG – MENYW
BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Rosie Sheehy
Uncle Vanya
Theatr Clwyd & Sheffield Theatres
PERFFORMIAD GORAU YN YR IAITH SAESNEG – GWRYW
BEST MALE PERFORMANCE IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Sion Daniel Young
Killology
Sherman Theatre / Theatr y Sherman & Royal Court Theatre
DRAMODYDD GORAU YN YR IAITH SAESNEG
BEST PLAYWRIGHT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Gary Owen
Killology, Sherman Theatre / Theatr y Sherman & Royal Court Theatre
DRAMODYDD GORAU YN YR IAITH GYMRAEG
BEST PLAYWRIGHT IN THE WELSH LANGUAGE
Siôn Eirian
Yfory
Theatr Bara Caws
CYNHYRCHIAD TEITHIOL GORAU (GYMRAEG)
BEST TOURING PRODUCTION (WELSH)
Sieiloc,
Rhodri Miles
CYNHYRCHIAD TEITHIOL GORAU (SAESNEG)
BEST TOURING PRODUCTION (ENGLISH)
How To Win Against History
Àine Flanagan Productions, Seiriol Davies & y / the Young Vic
Y SIOE ORAU AR GYFER PLANT A PHOBOL IFANC (GYMRAEG)
BEST SHOW FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE (WELSH)
Mwgsi,
Cwmni’r Frân Wen
Y SIOE ORAU AR GYFER PLANT A PHOBOL IFANC (SAESNEG)
BEST SHOW FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE (ENGLISH)
Eye of the Storm
Theatr na nÓg
CYMRU A’R BYD
WALES AND THE WORLD
Daniel Llewelyn-Williams
A Regular Little Houdini
LLWYDDIANT ARBENNIG
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT
Godfrey Evans
Lots of names i recognise – inspiring the next generation