RAISING questions about our relationship with nature and minoritised languages alike, Pan elo’r adar is a hopeful theatre production that encourages us to act for the sake of the future.
Presented in a physical and playful style by artists Rhiannon Mair and Steffan Phillips, the production also includes live performances by musicians Heulwen Williams and N’famady Kouyaté, animation by Efa Blosse-Mason and a soundtrack by Ani Glass.
It discusses the crisis that nature and language are in, and the importance of tackling one to ensure that the other is protected and can flourish. This work is timely in terms of its themes and offers a platform for discussion.
The work is presented in the form of a circle; a circle that represents the passage of time, and is a symbol of a circular and symbiotic relationship. Rhiannon and Steffan use a physical style in the work that was developed with their experienced movement director, Dan Watson. It includes different take on various childhood games played as a way of challenging and expressing frustration about what is at stake. It all happens to the live accompaniment of Heulwen and N’famady, blending to create a memorable experience. Although the themes of the production are intense, our goal is to leave the audience feeling hopeful and empowered.
Rhiannon and Steffan said: “We have been developing sections of this work for a while, and we are so proud to be able to share a full production with audiences.
“The themes we discuss are so important; they are things that we think about on a daily basis. It is exciting to present work in a physical style that is perhaps not often seen in mainstream theatre in Wales.
“It has been a privilege to collaborate with so many other creative artists along the journey, and we are very grateful to all of them for their contributions. We hope you enjoy our vision, and leave after the performance feeling empowered to change things.”
Rhiannon Mair is an experienced theatre director, performer, dramaturg and educator. She has worked for over twenty years in the theatre industry in Wales; either contributing directly or researching and teaching students about it as a University lecturer.
Recent works include a devised the solo performance, Ar Lan y Môr, for Volcano theatre, which explored the impact of second homes on coastal communities in Pembrokeshire. She also recently directed Bethan Marlow’s play ‘Bren. Calon. Fi’ for Theatr Cymru. She works a lot with children and communities both in both professional and voluntary roles. She has a practical PhD titled ‘The Welsh Chapel, community and performance’. Her work examines themes such as Welsh language identity and culture, being a mother, place and space, autobiography, and the climate crisis.
Steffan Phillips is a multidisciplinary artist and researcher from Cardigan. His work often intertwines theatre, film, visual art, music and literature. He has a BA in Theatre, Music and Media from Trinity College, Carmarthen, and an MA in Welsh and Celtic Studies from Cardiff University. He is currently working on his PhD in the field of poetry films at Aberystwyth University. He published his first pamphlet of poetry, Sgwâr (Cyhoeddiadau’r Stamp), in 2025.
Heulwen Williams is a Welsh multi-instrumentalist and songwriter creating new music drawing from nature, ecology, myth and folklore and infused with a subtle awareness of the borders and in-betweens across lands, languages, seasons, sea and sky. Alongside their solo work, their storytelling collaborations include composing and performing the music for the show Binderella with The Ragged Storytelling Collective, which toured Wales in 2024 as well as the Rewilding Cinderella project that performed at the Brighton fringe.
N’famady Kouyaté is a dynamic master musician from Guinea, West Africa. Of Malinké origin and born into a griot (djeli) family, N’famady has the hereditary role of preserving and sharing traditional Mandingue culture through music, rhythm, and storytelling.
A virtuoso balafoniste, singer, percussionist, and multi-instrumentalist, N’famady is also a founder of The Successors of the Mandingue, a Wales-based music and dance company celebrating West African heritage. Now based in Cardiff, he leads a vibrant mix of solo and collaborative projects, and regularly runs participatory music workshops across the UK and beyond.
Creative team:
- Movement Director: Dan Watson
- Designer: Luned Gwawr Evans
- Composer: Ani Glass
- Animation and Illustrator: Efa Blosse-Mason
- Stage Manager: Nia Morris a Nico Dafydd
- Producer: Nia Wyn Skyrme
Tour dates:
- Small World Theatre, Cardigan
- 16 July 2025 – 19:30
More details to be added on performances dates in September 2025
