Iwan Fôn, Mali O'Donnell and Eddie Ladd have been announced as the cast alongside art-rock band HMS Morris and musician Osian Williams (Candelas) for the Popeth ar y Ddaear production by Marged Tudur, Mari Elen, Iestyn Tyne and Lauren Connelly.
This is the first ever production to be performed at Maes B which is an after dark music festival that’s part of the Eisteddfod.
The art-rock band HMS Morris and Candelas front man Osian WIlliams will perform the live score composed by Osian himself.
Iwan Fôn, who plays the character Tom, is a familiar name to Maes B audiences as front man for the bands Y Reu and Kim Hon. The actor from Carmel near Caernarfon, plays Jason in the popular TV series Rownd a Rownd, and has also made his mark as a stage actor (Ar y Stryd, Frân Wen, Mrs Reynolds and the Cena Bach; Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru).
Eddie Ladd (Blodeuwedd; Chapter and Diversions, Dawns Ysbrydion, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru) will play Malltwen, and Mali O’Donnell (Casualty; BBC, Spring Awakening; Almeida, Cariad yn Oes y Gin; Theatr Bara Caws) will play the character Nona.
Nico Dafydd directs the story that will invite the audience to step into a dystopian future world where a catastrophic disaster has flooded communities.
We’ll come across Tom, who’s waiting to hear if he’ll be given shelter, and Nona, who needs to make a decision for herself and her unborn baby. We’ll also meet Malltwen on her last night on earth - and in her final moments is determined to leave the world in a better place.
Audiences will be guided through Maes B during the event, which will be performed on Friday 11 August (11pm), at the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Llŷn and Eifionydd 2023.
Director Nico Dafydd said; "Transforming Maes B for live theatre is a huge privilege and we can't wait to deliver an epic experience that will do justice to this iconic space."
The experienced cast are supported by an ensemble of young performers who have been rehearsing for months.
"You have to be prepared to lose yourself in the story and the music," said Ryan Hughes, one of the young performers.
"I don't want to give any spoilers but it's going to be an explosion of colour and sound - and fire! But the big question is, where will you be when the sun rises?"
Gethin Evans, Artistic Director of Frân Wen said; “Popeth ar y Ddaear is a completely unique production; a large-scale theatrical event in an unexpected site created by some of Wales' most exciting artists together with a group of extremely talented young people. We are extremely proud to reveal the cast that will join this team to offer an experience that has not been seen in Maes B before.
“Eddie, Iwan and Mali bring years of experience performing in unusual spaces through their theatre, gigging and site specific events."
Betsan Moses, Chief Executive of the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol added; “We strongly believe that we need to take our language, our culture and the arts to people of all ages, and the opportunity to do this with Popeth ar y Ddaear is absolutely thrilling and sure to attract a new audience to take an interest in the world of theatre in Wales."