Performer Name: Taith Duo

Show Name: Rapunzel

Show Description

This brand new show, developed in association with Straeon Sir Benfro, weaves together story-telling, dance and original music. Gillian Stevens has worked as musician with several story tellers in Wales, including Daniel Morden and Deb Winter and is now teaming up with movement artist and story teller, Judy Schunemann to bring their version of the tale of Rapunzel to creative life. This story touches on issues such as the mother/daughter relationship, adoption, enchantment, the awakening of sexual awareness and the consequences of its repression. They drive on the narrative and emotional depth of the story by interweaving their different expressive art-forms; Judy using dance, alongside the spoken word and Gillian playing crwth and viola da gamba.

Image for show
There. is a strong non verbal element, making it accessible to deaf people.
Posters if needed
Taith is the Welsh for journey. Although they come from very different musical backgrounds, Gillian and Dylan have found common ground in their desire to ignore musical categories and draw on traditional music from Wales and other countries as well as their own original compositions. The inspiration gained from travelling and working with musicians from many other cultures, adds a richness to their performances. They have performed together in Greece, Italy, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Iceland, Germany and France. Occasionally they happily get to perform more locally. Dylan plays as part of the group ALAW who performed at the BBC Proms back in 2018. He also performs with the Indo/ Welsh trio, Tyhai and the Celtic Guitar Trio. Gillian has another musical life playing early music on bass viol or baroque cello. Using a range of instruments, including the ancient Welsh crwth, guitar, tenor viol and whistles they create a magical and spell-binding atmosphere.