The Dark Philosophers
November 2010
Synopsis
National Theatre Wales, in association with Told by an Idiot, celebrate one of Wales' most distinctive voices of the last century. Taking as its inspiration the ink-black comic tales of Gwyn Thomas, the great Welsh storyteller and dark, hilarious chronicler of the Valleys, The Dark Philosophers is a funny, violent, and passionate depiction of a community teetering on the brink of humanity.
The youngest of twelve children, Gwyn Thomas (1913-1981) was born and brought up in Cymmer, in the Rhondda Valley, South Wales. Growing up in poverty, he won a scholarship to Oxford University, and returned to Wales to teach. The Dark Philosophers - a collection of short stories - was published in 1946, while his novels include The Alone to the Alone (1947); All Things Betray Thee (1949); The World Cannot Hear You (1951), and Now Lead Us Home (1952). His play The Keep opened at the Royal Court Theatre in 1961, to great acclaim.
"As if Thomas Hardy met Damon Runyon over a loving cup of small beer." New York Herald Tribune, 1974.
"Every so often a writer from another age leaps into the present with an armful of gifts for us. Gwyn Thomas is one of those writers." John McGrath, Artistic Director, National Theatre Wales
BOOKING OPENS MONDAY 5 JULY 2010
Creative team
Based on the works of Gwyn Thomas
Adapted by Carl Grose and Told by an Idiot
Directed by Paul Hunter
Designed by Angela Davies
Composed by Iain Johnstone
Dates
8-12 November 2010 - The Riverfront, Newport and beyond
Reviews
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