How Green Was My Valley

A commissioned stage dramatisation of Richard Llewellyn’s famous Welsh novel, this show raises the issue of what happens when we lose sense of community, family and closeness to the earth. It is a celebration of Welsh tradition. However, it is not just a story of times past, coal, trade unions and blood and thunder preachers. It gives voice to the celebration of life, the greenness of the earth and the timeless stronghold of the united family spirit. It encompasses the passion of the male voice choirs, the heart of the mining families and the strength of the community, set against the captivating beauty and hardship of the valley in which they lived.

Cast size: 26 (with doubling).

A selection of songs from the production were performed by Gorseinon College in the presence of HRH the Prince of Wales in April 1995 at Swansea and at the Swansea Evening Post Youth Proms in May 1995. The title song “How Green Was My Valley” was also performed at the Festival of 1000 Welsh Male Voices at the Albert Hall in 1996 and recorded by the London Welsh Male Voice Choir on their 100 Years of Music cd: http://www.londonwelshmvc.org/new_site/100yearscd_new.htm