Review: South Wales Guardian

by Marion Preece

“Beautifully written, and directed with skill”

Ammanford Miner’s Theatre

If you saw sparks flying from the roof of Ammanford Miner’s Theatre last Thursday, you will have missed Hijinx Theatre’s magical performance of ‘Ill Met by Moonlight’. Playing to a packed house, the enthusiastic audience was drawn into the story of the chaos caused by Gwarwyn-a-Throt, last of the Welsh Bwcas, in his attempt to thwart the growing love between two lonely country people. Having made a wager with his changeling, Hedydd, he is certain that he can force her to become his wife when the human romance fails, instead of giving her the freedom that she craves. In the ensuing meddling and mayhem, the Bwca is strong, but he finds that love is stronger, even than himself. ‘I have seen love declared and love decay a thousands times. But once or twice, tis true, I have seen …’ Michael Wagg dominated as the vengeful Gwarwyn, his spiteful fury now and again dipping into sly humour as he donned various disguises; one being a vicar, throwing cakes into the audience. But the waif-like Katy Owen excelled as Hedydd, his cowed but spirited prisoner, providing the perfect foil to Gwarwyn’s cruelty. Hannah McPake played the proud, wounded widow, Mary Morris to Stephen Hickman’s crusty bachelor farmer, Samuel Jenkins. Both were touchingly believable as Gwarwyn’s human pawns. Beautifully written and directed with skill by Charles Way, the play brought both laughter and tears. The set, designed by Mary Drummond, was deceptively simple – a trademark of Hijinx Theatre. Flowing from season to season, it changed from a simple farmhouse to a moonlit field, to the shimmering beauty of a snow-capped mountain. The only fault I could find was that a few, vital words were lost – too softly spoken to be heard at the back of the auditorium. Otherwise, ‘Ill Met by Moonlight’ was a captivating and outstanding success that had the audience cheering and on their feet. This will be the last community play performed by Hijinx Theatre, due to Arts Council of Wales cuts in funding. At what cost? For we will all be the poorer for it. God speed, Hijinx and thank you.

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