Young cast prepare for Welsh musical

Mar 20 2008 by Abbie Wightwick, Western Mail

NEARLY 100 young people from across Conwy have been busy preparing to perform the musical called Hedfan (To Fly) at Eisteddfod yr Urdd Sir Conwy.

The show will be performed on May 25 at Penrhyn Bay.

Director Lowri Hughes, 30, said, “The cast is a diligent crowd who travel from across the county to rehearsals, from Llandudno to Llangwm and from Bylchau to Betws-y-Coed – we must also thank their parents for their continued support, bringing them to and fro each week.”

The show has been translated into Welsh from the original musical Featherboy, commissioned as part of the Shell Connections Project for London’s National Youth Theatre.

The show is based on the novel of the same name, by Nicky Singer.

“It is extremely difficult sourcing a Welsh musical suitable for this age group,” Lowri said. “With Cefin Roberts’s assistance translating the lyrics, I tackled the Welsh translation for the script.”

Lowri teaches drama at Ysgol Glanaethwy in Bangor. She is also a member of the script creators team for S4C series Rownd a Rownd by Nant.