Buggerall is a real treat at Stiwdio Stepney in Ffwrnes, Llanelli
Buggerall, written by Jon Tregenna and produced by Llanelli Youth Theatre (with Llanelli Stage Company) at Stiwdio Stepney, Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli.
To begin at the beginning, it's a silent cobbled street mile better than watching dancing JCBs!
Llanelli-born Jon Tregenna has dug a long and deep trench to strike the rich legacy stream left behind by Dylan Thomas.
There are gems here that have been carefully polished since Buggerall was first launched in 2003.
This latest production brings the story bang up to date in 2016 - a world where selfies rule and the village rugby team drowns in a sea of drink.
The question is: if Dylan Thomas was still alive, what would he make of a modern-day seaside village in Wales?
"The butchers, the bakers, the walking stick makers; high class drapers and watch repairers; men selling fish out of wheelbarrows around pubs with snugs, and tapping barrels for free beer and grinning; and quarrymen quarrelling and old sea dogs with salty stories and sweet tobacco in all their pipes - all gone.
"The clockmakers is now a gift shop. The chapel - a private house. The cobblers - a surf shop. The dairy - a car park."
Jon Tregenna has applied himself to many of the key themes in Dylan's works - life, death, dreams, religion, secrets, betrayals - and, of course, a bit of sex.
He has neatly captured the lyrical sing-song trademark of Dylan and added in a healthy dash of modern-day reality to the speeches, arguments, discussions, monologues and prayers.
Don't be put off by the title; Buggerall isn't two hours of bad language. The Mary Whitehouse meter chalked up one F and four Bs - all placed with perfect comic timing.
Buggerall is funny. It's also sad. It's challenging (you've got to pay attention), thought-provoking and above all recognisable - you will see scenes and characters that remind you of people, events and places.
The Stiwdio Stepney set was a homage to Llanelli's New Drovers Arms and its dear, departed 'mine host' Cyril Phillips.
The intimate surroundings of the 'studio' provided a perfect backdrop to the play with characters acknowledging the staring 'weirdos'.
As the narrator, Huw Novelli set the scene as a writer caught in the dreaded block of having Buggerall to write.
The three central characters of Carl, Simon and Grom were played with distinction by Scott Gutteridge, Ryan Davies and Connor Charles.
There were other 'characters' galore, with members of the cast playing different roles with a high degree of professionalism.
You'll have to see it to get the JCB joke. You'll also learn a lesson in the logic of eating a Scotch Egg.
This is 'local theatre' (local author, local production company) of the highest quality.
Expertly directed by Chris Rees, it deserves to be turned into a film!
Buggerall concludes at Stiwdio Stepney with a matinee performance on Sunday.
Tickets -
Photos:
Some members of the Buggerall cast.
Writer Jon Tregenna.
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