WAR HORSE AT THE WMC

Last night, we saw the National Theatre's production, War Horse, based on a novel by Michael Morpugo, and adapted by Nick Stafford, and performed in association with the Handspring Puppet Company at the Wales Milennium Centre. It was an extraordinary production with a fantastic set designed by Rae Smith, a female designer. The puppetry was dexterous and brilliant. If you don't know it, it tells the story of World War 1 from the point of view of the hero- a thoroughbred horse, called Joey who is sent to the Front.
Morpurgo writes in the programme,
'' We still mourn; but now with the benefit of longer hindsight, we see 'the futility' of it all, and 'the pity', as Wilfred Owen wrote. War Horse is not simply a show or a play about war, a horse, and a boy. It is an anthem for peace, and reflects,I think, a universal longing for a world without war."

Although over all I enjoyed it, especially the puppetry, singing and the effects, I did feel the script could have done with substantial editing. Some of the acting was mumbled or shouted and mannered. Germans were stereotyped and some performances over the top. (excuse the pun)  However, there were moments when I did feel engaged, especially at the end when Joey and his owner, the boy Alfred, find each other again. The theme tune lyrics have stayed with me. Something like, 'You will be judged by your actions.'
Wonder how it would go down in Gaza?

The production has been on at the WMC since 18 June and finishes 19 July.
 For further info: wmc.org.uk 029 2063 6464 

FALL OUT 48 & 84

On Tuesday was my birthday and what great one it was. It started with an auspicious birthday present from a passing pigeon. On a walk along the Taff river I caught the turquoise dash of a kingfisher. The first I've seen since the first day out after my hip replacement operation three years ago, or is it four? Then a beautiful bunch of British sunflowers arrived via Interflora from my son living in Switzerland, and a bottle of poison from my daughter touring Canada, and courtesy of John Lewis. That's perfume by the way. One of my favourites. She also sent a card with a picture of a couple in a car that's been driven into a lake and the caption.
 'Oh for God's sake!' snapped Janet. 'Surely you've known me long enough to know I mean right when I say left.'
 Then I attended a meeting of Friends of  Taffs Well Park. They agreed to give me the pavilion free of charge  so that I can start a weekly therapeutic writing group. I'm calling it,'Writers in the Park,' and hoping that local people who've never written before can share their experiences, creativity, memories and have fun. Hopefully, I will be able to put into practice some of the theory I've learnt on the Orchard Foundation's Writing for Well-being course held over several weekends this year. I now just have to write a 3000 word essay to get my certificate for facilitating writing groups. Eek! This year I received a Cardiff University Life Long Learning certificate in Higher Education in Creative Writing. Since 2006 when I started attending creative writing classes I've attended numerous courses that they and others have held. Writing has really enriched my life. Now is my opportunity to bring my two passions together-counselling and creative writing.

All day I got lovely texts and phone calls from family and friends. Thank you! I felt really loved and appreciated. How lucky am I?

Then in the evening, there was the performance of  'Fall Out '84,' Pontardawe Arts Centre's Script Cafe and Neath Port Talbot Young Writers' Squad's community play exploring the impact of the Miners Strike, thirty years on. My piece called, 'Hot Coals', had been sympathetically edited by script editor, Tina Walker and was well  received. The play directed by Derek Cobley, was performed by professional actors. Given they only had five days rehearsal they all did an amazing job. The audience really seemed to like the play overall. It was such fun to be part of. I can't wait for the next project...

And at 9pm, as the sky turned pink, Dan, our friend handed me a bag of his self-speared spider crab and his home-made sausages, Emily gave me a creative writing book, and Rhys and I drove back over the Brecon Beacons. Perrrfect!