“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.

A truly, lovely, fairy story.

This is an example of where quality writing has provided a solid foundation for this excellent show, together with the support of grants and donations and the help of a dedicated people working behind the scenes that have provided the building blocks necessary to present a currently touring production of great worth. The company, Hijinx has taken some excellent decisions and been insightful; this clearly demonstrated in stage management and set design of the highest class, and lastly, and by no means least, the sourcing of a cast of four impressive and versatile actors.

I am going to devote this review largely to the work of the play’s writer, Charles Way, because I love it when writers take the bare bones of an original theme or character and create a completely new piece of writing from it. A noteworthy idea, on Way’s part, to introduce us to the character, Gwarwyn a Throt (Michael Wagg) – who happens to be a descendant of Puck from Shakespeare’s A Mid Summer Night’s Dream. And detectable too, that Way has mimicked the theme of ‘Dream’ in the fact that enchantments mess with the mind and love interests of the characters, which results in much misunderstanding and confusion, and, subsequently,this allows much scope for comedy to befall. And all goes a long way to ensure that the eventual conclusion satisfies and that the outcome had been willed and hoped for by each and every member of the audience right from the commencement of the play’s opening scene.

The cast introduce themselves as storytellers, and this production is simply a truly, lovely, fairy story. One of mystique and legend centred on ancient rural customs and culture, and the rigour of season led labour and celebrations. The kind of traditional story that the generations have grown up knowing, and have passed on; where adversity has been overcome despite the influence of dark and mysterious forces and strange occurrences. Unfortunately, new versions that do a good job in representing this kind of familiar narrative are few and far between these days. This rendition however, is successful and significant in encapsulating that secret ingredient and so will have wide appeal.

Way also includes many comedic lines about the attitudes of people who settle in border territories. This touring company has performed and is due to perform in communities across England and Wales and many one liners will make one chuckle over the inverted snobbery and indignations of folk, whichever side of the Herefordshire border they happen to be seated and enjoying the show.

A couple of negatives, albeit very minor, but I found myself to be at times pre-occupied with the hair dos of the two actresses. Perhaps it would be a good idea to lose those heavy fringes with a hair pin or two? Also, the black nylon tights! Some attention to authenticity required. And a couple of songs with nursery rhyme connections took me back, in my mind, to the kind of affected performance of children’s TV presenters of Playschool back in the 70s – not good.

If I had known that the villain was going to throw cakes into the audience I would not have bothered with my tea. That is just one of the surprises in this very unusual production – sadly the last community play from Hijinx Theatre Company, a victim of Arts Council Wales funding cuts.

The tale unfolding on stage is one of general mayhem, created by Gwarwyn-a-Throt, the last of the strange Welsh Bwcas, and his attempts to mess up the blossoming love between two country folk in need of each other. Gwarwyn-a-Throt (what a great name) has agreed a bet with his changeling, Hedydd, boasting that he can force her to become his wife when the human love story collapses. He does not however, succeed because of underestimating the power of love for which even his strengths and cleverness has no match.

Michael Wagg is the villainous but often comical and certainly sly Gwarwyn, a bit of a show stealer really, as the audience reacts every time he walks on stage no matter what disguise he is wearing at the time. So well done Michael and also well done Katy Owen who is excellent as Hedydd, his reluctant but gritty prisoner. Hannah McPake plays the love-seeking Mary Morris to Stephen Hickman’s bachelor farmer, Samuel Jenkins.

They all inter-react brilliantly in a production which is a tribute to the writing and directing of Charles Way. And loved the sets, the sort that make live drama so much more inviting.

Ill Met By Moonlight is well met by stagelight.

Due to ill health, Louise Osborn is unable to direct the show – we really hope she’ll be well again soon. Charles Way, the writer of Ill Met by Moonlight has now stepped in and will be directing the show!

In a serendipitous turn of fate – Hijinx have their first performance at Whitchurch High School in Cardiff. Over the years this has been our first performance venue for the autumn tour – every year since 1998 bar one! That first production was Ill Met by Moonlight so it seems appropriate that, on our very last community tour in it’s present guise, that we begin the tour there again. Make sure you check out the tour schedule page and book your tickets early to avoid disappointment – this will be updated as and when we add more dates.

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This is the online home of Hijinx‘s next touring show, Ill Met by Moonlight.

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