A review of our May events

Last month saw two very successful project events, the performed reading of the 'Dot and Billy' letters in Canolfan y Celfyddydau Aberystwyth Arts Centre, on 16th and 17th May,  and 'Songs and Music of the Great War,' in the Coliseum Theatre, Amgeuddfa Ceredigion Museum, on 22nd May. 

The Dot and Billy letters, which number some 170, have been kindly made available to the project and have already featured in several of our publicity notices and talks.  Written between 1915 and 1917, they are a moving and often very humorous exchange between two people trying to make sense of and deal with their growing feelings for each amidst the turmoil of the Great War.  

The letters were dramatised by Richard Hogger and Tom O'Malley. Richard directed and Tom produced the performance. Calista Williams played the part of Dot and Patrick Kavanagh that of Billy, both with sensitivity and understanding.  The intimate setting of the Round Studio was perfect for the telling of the story and the simple, yet atmospheric set, allowed the audience to really absorb and reflect on the words being spoken.  Both nights were full, with the Friday completely sold out, and the performance was also filmed, providing a lasting legacy to this wonderful piece and also a future learning resource.

Calista and Patrick as Dot and Billy, meeting up in August 1917 when Billy was on leave

The 'Songs of the Great War' concert organized by the Ceredigion Music Service was also full to capacity and the Ceredigion Museum was a perfect place to showcase the talents of the Aberystwyth Youth Brass Band and the Plascrug School Choir. The brass band was set out in the auditorium and the choir on the stage, and the repertoire ranged from 'Colonel Bogey' to 'Ar hyd y Nos' and 'Men of Harlech to 'Mellow Mood' and Cruella Deville. The children of the choir sang WW1 related songs like 'It's a long way to Tipperary,'  'Pack up your Troubles' and 'Keep the Home Fires Burning.' The penultimate item was 'Abide with Me.' during which two of the Plascrug pupils read out the names of the Abersytwyth fallen, and the 'Last Post,' played by conductor Aiden Hassan, was a haunting finale to a very entertaining and excellent evening. 

Many thanks to Canolfan y Celfyddydau Aberystwyth Arts Centre and to Amgueddfa Ceredigion Museum for providing these venues free of charge and to all the staff involved on the nights, and during the preparations, that made these two events very special. And thanks as always to the players of the National Lottery for making the project possible.