West Bale and Thomas We are excited to be touring ‘West’ again before it returns to America at the Hollywood Festival in LA. Written by Owen Thomas, the award-winning writer of ‘Grav’ and ‘The Wood’. It stars Gareth John Bale and Gwenllian Higginson, the play explores the lives of two Welsh people who fall in love and decide to leave Wales in order to build a new life in the New World. It details the hardships and adventures they faced, focusing primarily on the theme of immigration. The play is written in a lyrical, poetic style and presented using minimal set and a physicalised performance style. It is directed by Gareth John Bale, the Welsh actor and director whose credits include ‘Grav’ and ‘Nye and Jennie’ and Gwenllian Higginson, best known to Welsh theatre audiences for ‘Glad yr Asyn’, ‘Miss Julie’ and ‘Merched Caerdydd’. ‘West’ was commissioned by the North American Festival of Wales and received its first public performance in the Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Friday 30th August 2019. The first American performances received standing ovations from an enthusiastic American audience. ‘This was a profoundly moving and evocative presentation which spoke to the global experience of emigrants everywhere. In Owen Thomas and Gareth John Bale we have witnessed the interplay of two huge Welsh born talents, ably supported by a fresh-faced newcomer to us - Gwenllian Higginson. We feel privileged to have had a part in helping them launch this latest production to a most appreciative audience and wish them much success in introducing it to venues in Wales and world-wide’. Y NINNAU ‘Wow!! This evening at Pontardawe Arts Centre we witnessed a very important piece of welsh literacy. If you get a chance to see “West” by Owen Thomas performed by Gareth Bale and Gwenllian Higginson, you will understand. This beautiful play will make you laugh/cry in equal measure.’ Michelle McTernan ‘The premiere of “West” was at last year’s North American Festival of Wales (2019), where it brought me and many others to tears. Just superb. I can’t recommend it enough.’ Diane Owen ABOUT THE PERFORMER Gareth Bales & Owen Thomas: Bale and Thomas have an impressive body of work between them as artists. Owen Thomas is an award-winning Playwright originally from Mid Wales. His previous writing work includes The Wood and Grav for the Torch Theatre where he is also proud to be an Associate Artist. His breakthrough play, Richard Parker, won Best International Show at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in Los Angeles in 2012. Gareth John Bale is an established actor and director This year he has seen his stock rise with performances in 30 Awr on S4C, 'Art', 'Richard Parker', and Grav.
