Community theatre at its finest is performed by OTTC, as the audience is seated to the sound of an incoming tide bringing with it a day in the life of a Welsh coastal town.  Hanging from the over-head gantry of Keith Baker’s set are stockings, kettles, net curtains and sheet music.  With one in-breath you have the scent of the place.  The pithy way items are chosen to tell the tale extends to costumes.  The ensemble cast of six shows great range in portraying a number of cameo roles and a clever selection of garments means this is easy to follow. Hannah Timms flaunts the high-heels of Gossamer Beynon, liberty bodice of Mae Rose Cottage and apron of Mrs Pugh.  The cast have an obvious love for this piece and this comes alive in their lyrical enunciation of Dylan Thomas’ words.  Their delivery paints the colour ‘black’ in so many ways; bible, bombazine and crow.  In fact a audio recording alone of this production would be a treat.

 

 

 

However bringing theatre to the widest community possible is Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company’s laudable mission.  A TV screen hangs alongside the bunting showing two interpreters, Lynn and Mike, offering sign language for the few times the set is in darkness.  When the stage is lit, actor David Ellington takes centre stage with his beguiling signing that enthralls even those who cannot comprehend sign.  Ellington’s expressive face and hand gestures bring out the richness of the dialogue that is being performed.  Sign language is used by some of the characters during the play and works brilliantly in scenes such as the children battling it out for playground hierarchy by playing games, lead with gusto by cheeky Gwennie (Ruth Dawes).  Much work has gone into the visual quality of the movement, so it becomes obvious when the two wives of Mr Dai Bread are sizing each other up and when later a saucy singsong is underway at the local pub.  Brendan Murray’s direction makes it crystal clear what is happening even for those new to the play. This is echoed in Mark Dymock’s simple but effective lighting design that grows warmer and darker as time passes.  The late afternoon gives rise to the moving emotions of Captain Cat, grieving for his dead lover Rosie Probert.  Sensitively played respectively by Tim Gebbels and Cerianne Roberts who are both gifted storytellers.

 

 

 

The cast as a whole stay open with their emotions aided by an open performance space of a raised rectangular stage.  This shape serves the purpose of creating a typical Welsh front room, such as Mr Cherry Owens’, with floral carpet and odd wooden dining chairs. Playing in the round brings an intimacy from the actors who often speak to the audience directly.  Organ Morgan (Darren Cheek) uses the space to evangelise about the genius of Bach and conduct imaginary orchestras.  This is helped by Jon Nicholls’ sound design, which also creates the till bells ringing in Mr Mog Edwards’ shop plus the dawn chorus heard on Llareggub hill.  This show now starts its UK regional tour, on which the Rev. Eli Jenkins is sure to convert many to enjoying the fine qualities of this inspired production.