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Student gets to act in Australia

8 September 2015

Ceri Elen in Australia

Ceri Elen, a PhD student and Scripting and Creative Writing tutor at the School, has just returned after a period of acting in Australia on the stage of the world famous Sydney Opera House with Theatr Iolo. The company was performing 'Adventures in the Skin Trade', Lucy Gough’s stage adaptation of Dylan Thomas’ unfinished novel.

The drama tells the story of Samuel Bennett, an aspiring poet, as he leaves his home in South Wales for London. The drama was performed at the Sydney Opera House and at Arts Centre Melbourne. Theatr Iolo is the first Welsh theatre company to perform at the Sydney Opera House.

Ceri says she feels lucky to have been a part of the production. "This amazing piece of surrealism has auto-biographical elements, and Lucy Gough’s adaptation is truly excellent. 

"I play the role of Polly, who is a very complex character; she pushes Samuel Bennett into situations he has never experienced before. The female members of the cast also form the chorus, who represent the thoughts of Samuel Bennett - colourful, sometimes dark and often very mischievous.

"It was a privilege to shine the spotlight on Dylan Thomas’ work on such world-renowned stages."

For more information, here is a short film about the drama: 

Adventures of the Skin Trade.

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