There was a lot of excitement and energy in Canolfan Arad Goch throughout March and April, as two young artists, Chris Harris and Eliot Moleba worked on an exciting theatre project based on immigrants and race. Chris from Cwmbran and Eliot from South Africa were working through the 6X1 scheme with Cwmni Theatr Arad Goch until the beginning of April. In that time, the two young artists created a new piece of theatre, and did so by taking advantage of Arad Goch’s facilities and expertise.

Eliot and Chris first met during the International Theatre Festival, Agor Drysau / Opening Doors in 2014 and Eliot Moleba mentions that they’ve wanted to work together since then;

“Since 2014 we’ve been trying to work together. It’s surreal to think, here we are!” (Eliot Moleba)

Eliot Moleba is a 29 year old artist from South Africa who specialises in theatre work. At the moment, Eliot is a Resident Dramaturg with the South African State Theatre. One of his most recent touring productions was The Orphan Of Gaza which toured around South Africa in 201[5].

“It was exciting working on something meaningful which responds to a current global issue” (Eliot Moleba)

Eliot came to know about Cwmni Theatr Arad Goch after being accepted to do a placement with the company during the Agor Drysau Opening Doors festival in 2014. The opportunity was arranged through ASSITEJ (l’Association Internationale du Theatre Pour L’Enfance et La Jeunesse – The International Association Of Theatre For Children and Young People), where Arad Goch’s Creative Director Jeremy Turner was a member.

“We’ve kept in touch since then and are extremely pleased that Eliot is now working with a young Welsh writer and performer, Chris Harris who started his professional career with Arad Goch, after graduating from Aberystwyth University.” (Jeremy Turner)

Chris Harris’ first professional job in the theatre industry was as an actor in Arad Goch’s production Madog. By now, Chris works as an assistant at Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbran. As well as this, Chris often works with Sherman Theatre, and has also been working on his own original theatre work. His one-person show Golf Course War Machine opened in Arad Goch and is touring theatres at the moment and there was a reading of his latest drama, which won the Richard Carne Award, Heterochromia on the 26^th of April at the Sherman Theatre.

“I love exploring working in a way where language isn’t integral to the storytelling” (Chris Harris)

Chris and Eliot’s project touched on themes such as race, immigrants, childhood and racism and will came to its conclusion with a presentation and discussion of the production at Canolfan Arad Goch.

“Nice to come here in a creative capacity and thankful for the opportunity – it’s very rare to be given a chance like this where you can just explore and play and create something. We’re very grateful for the trust Arad Goch has given us.”

Phone 01970617998 or email carwyn@aradgoch.org for more information.

03/05/2017

This article first appeared here