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An MA Perfformio Student from the ���ϳԹ���’s Wales Academy of Voice and Dramatic Arts has had the opportunity to portray Barti Ddu with the ‘In Character’ theatre company. 

David Harding will take on the challenge of portraying Barti Ddu in the ‘In Character’ theatre company’s latest production. The purpose of the company’s productions is to teach children about characters and stories from Welsh history by delivering interactive shows for schools in an educational and entertaining way. The company has a wide range of dramatic presentations for various audiences, both children and adults, which all focus on a character or story from Welsh history – from the period of the Celts to marking 20 years of the National Assembly for Wales. 

David is currently studying MA Theatr: Perfformio, a unique course providing the opportunity for students to refine their performance skills. In this particular module, students are expected to deliver a series of public performances. Following a conversation with the In Character company, this special opportunity arose to work together to give a student the chance to portray a character and complete the module in collaboration with the company. It was decided that Barti Ddu would be a suitable character for David to take on. 

David is looking forward to undertaking the challenge. He said:

“It’s a great way to work on the techniques I have developed during my studies at the university and doing these on my own instead of with a cast. It felt quite frightening at first as I would be doing the one man show without another actor as support. 

“It’s an excellent way for me to trust in myself and my work to succeed in a performance, especially for children where so much energy is needed to keep them engaged with the story. I have never done a show for children before either, so this is a completely new experience.”

David is looking forward to portraying Barti Ddu and to teaching some of his history to the children who will be watching. He added:

“It’s an entirely new challenge for me and I can’t wait for the challenge and to see myself growing through the experience.”

David said that the MA Perfformio course has been a great help to him in preparing for the production. He said: 

“The dancing has helped me keep my stamina and energy up for a long period of time to keep things interesting, especially for children who always need to be kept in the world of the imagination and telling stories. I have had Estill singing lessons with the university for my two years on the BA and the Masters. It has helped me to learn a technique for safely projecting my voice and has helped with singing, especially with Barti Ddu where there is a song that I have had to learn and teach myself. The acting has prepared me for what I need to do to help learn the piece for any roles I will receive in future.”

‘In Character’ Company Director Eleri Twynog said:

“A large number of In Character’s actors have graduated from ���ϳԹ��� and succeeded in representing the company delivering professional shows of quality. This partnership is therefore natural somehow as it bridges the world of education and the world of work. We are very much looking forward to collaborating with David and the rest of the University staff on this project and to strengthening the partnership towards the future.”

Eilir Owen Griffiths, Director of the Wales Academy of Voice and Dramatic Arts said: 

“Within the Academy we try to offer experiences that prepare students for the world of work. This opportunity to work with a company as special as In Character ensures that our students get a taste of the industry before stepping into the world of work. Our hope is that this partnership will continue for the future.”

Further Information

Lowri Thomas

Principal Communications and PR Officer     
Corporate Communications and PR     
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk     
Phone: 07449 998476