Miners dig deep in play making its Welsh debut

A West-End production set in the South Wales Valleys will make its Welsh debut at the Millennium Centre next week.

Land of Our Fathers tells the tale of six miners trapped down a pit after an electrical explosion; though audiences know this is nothing compared to the blast destined for Welsh miners as Thatcher ascends to power.

Mixing raw emotion with Welsh banter, the play received critical acclaim in London and playwright, Chris Urch, hopes for repeat receptions this side of the bridge.

“I’m delighted the play is finally coming to Wales,” Chris said. “When we had our runs in London the Welsh audience responded so well to it.”

Land of Our Fathers will show in Cardiff from 20-28 October. Tickets are available from the Centre’s Box Office.

Q&A with Land of Our Fathers playwright Chris Urch

How do you feel about Land of Our Fathers coming home?

“I’m delighted the play is finally coming to Wales. The majority of the cast are Welsh and when we had our runs in London the Welsh audience responded so well to it.”

What inspired you to write about this important time in Welsh history?

“I’ve set the play on the eve of Thatcher’s election, which gives a strong sense of political history as the audience know what will happen to the mining industry and the impact it had on the communities. I like plays where the audiences know more than the characters as we watch the events unfold.”

What can audiences expect?

“[The play] has strong resonance with today, looking at low employment and the sense of lost communities. However, there is much Welsh banter and plenty of comedy as we watch these six miners try to escape the coalmine, as well as rich emotion. It’s a rollercoaster of a ride.”

coalmine, Drama, Millennium Centre, Play, politics, theatre, Welsh history