Students at Trinity University College in Carmarthen are gearing up to run their very own ‘Fringe’ during June’s Trinity Arts Festival.
It’s the fourth time for students to stage a week-long programme of events they proudly label as their own Ffrinj.
“As a series of events, it’s all neatly packaged up into five days from the 7th of June,” said Kevin Matherick, Head of the Faculty of Arts and Social Studies.
“It may not attract the big headlines that the main arts festival attracts, but it is just as important to the students who work very hard to stage the Ffrinj.
“The purpose of the Ffrinj is to give creative and performing students the chance to share in a wide range of exciting events, providing them with a fitting climax to their academic year.
“The Ffrinj is a very important part of college life and I am sure it will continue to go from strength to strength and be an important addition to the Trinity Arts Festival.
“My job is easy – chairing the organising committee. It’s the students themselves who put in all the hard work. The events, which run from June 7-11, are a lovely way of showcasing the talents of students at the end of a busy term.”
Mr Matherick added: “The Ffrinj is a chance for students to show off their artistic talents and it also gives them an opportunity to develop their organisational, entrepreneurial and arts management skills.”
Mr Matherick said there would be Ffrinj events at the University College campus and at the Dylan Thomas Boathouse in Laugharne.
“The Boathouse will be the backdrop for work by students taking part in the MA Creative Writing course – and a very dramatic and atmospheric backdrop at that because of its association with Dylan Thomas.”
One of the highlights of the Ffrinj week will be the launch of the book ‘Pattern of Shadows’ by Judith Barrow and published by Honno Press.
Judith is a former student of Trinity’s MA Creative Writing programme and she will read from her debut novel. The novel has been chosen as one of WH Smith’s paperback chart books.
Mr Matherick added: “The great thing about the Ffrinj is that the students themselves take control of the programme. It’s their project and it’s a very exciting way for them to test their work in front of audiences and showcase their talents.”
The Ffrinj festival kicks off with the launch of Sunflowers in Your Eyes by Cinnamon Press: a volume of poetry edited by Menna Elfyn.
The book features work by four Zimbabwean women poets. Two poets from Zimbabwe will read their works from their book: Blessing Musariri and Ethel Kwaboto.
Ms Elfyn, who is a celebrated Welsh poet and playwright and the director of the MA Creative Writing Programme at Trinity University College, Carmarthen, will introduce the evening.
Mr Matherick added: “An additional development for the Ffrinj this year has been the significant support from professional colleagues and organisations such as Miss Liane Davies from the i Creu project which encourages enterprise and creative business skills and development, and Mr Dominic Williams from Parthian Books.”
Details –
Trinity University College students present the Ffrinj Festival – A week of events organised by Trinity students and staff
Telephone
01267 676685
Weblink: www.ffrinj.com
Monday 7 June, 7pm
International Poetry Evening
The launch of Sunflowers in Your Eyes by Cinnamon Press: a volume of poetry edited by Menna Elfyn of four Zimbabwean women poets. Two poets from Zimbabwe will read their works from their book: Blessing Musariri and Ethel Kwaboto and Menna Elfyn will introduce the evening.
Event Supported by Academi and The British Council
Venue: Archbishop Childs Hall, Trinity University College
Tickets £3 (£2 concessions)
Box Office 01267 676685
Tuesday 8 June
Schools’ Workshops*
BA Film Studies students will be running workshops for students of local 6th Forms and Colleges. There will be a Writing for Screen workshop, followed by various skills activity, culminating in the creation of a short film which will be shown on 10 June.
Contact 01267 676696 (places are limited)
Tuesday 8 June, 7pm
Shadow Plays behind the Boathouse
The setting summer sun plays with the seascape where the Taf flows into Carmarthen Bay. Students from the MA Creative Writing Programme gather from Canada, Wales, India and England to entertain with readings from their new publication Shadow Plays. The poems and prose contributions all concern the theme after dark. The writers invite you to join them in an experience of what may or may not happen after dark. Supported by Parthian Books.
Venue: Laugharne – Dylan Thomas’ Boathouse
Tickets £3 (£2 concessions)
Box Office 01267 676685
Wednesday 9 June
Schools’ Workshops*
Students from the School of Theatre and Performance will be running workshops for students of Sixth Forms and Colleges exploring tonight’s performance of Derek by Edward Bond.
Contact 01267 676696 (places are limited)
*Workshops sponsored by iCreu
Wednesday 9 June, 7pm
Derek
by Edward Bond
Directed by: Dr Jim McCarthy
Venue: Y Llwyfan, Trinity University College
Tickets £2 (£1 concessions)
Box Office 01267 676685
Wednesday 9 June, 8pm
Student Showcase
A presentation of theatre, short stories and poetry written and performed by students of Trinity University College.
Venue: Y Stiwdio, Trinity University College
Tickets £2 (£1 concessions)
Box Office 01267 676685
Thursday 10 June, 7pm
Film Screenings
A series of film screenings created by students at Trinity University College.
Venue: Y Stiwdio, Trinity University College
Tickets £3 (£2 concessions)
Box Office 01267 676685
Thursday 10 June, 7pm
Literary Event
The launch of ‘Pattern of Shadows’ by Judith Barrow, published by Honno Press. Judith is a former student of Trinity’s MA Creative Writing programme and she will read from her debut novel. The novel has been chosen as one of WH Smith’s paperback chart books.
Venue: Archbishop Childs Hall, Trinity University College, Admission: Free
Friday 11 June, 6pm
An Evening Of Music And Dance
The closing event in the Ffrinj Festival is a lively and invigorating evening of Music and Dance created by performance students together with local primary school pupils.
Venue: Y Stiwdio, Trinity University College
Tickets £3 (£2 concessions)
Box Office 01267 676685
The team behind the Ffrinj:
Stuart Eckton
Stuart has always had a love for film and has followed this passion through to degree level and is currently studying BA film at Trinity University College. Extra curricular activities he enjoys include producing short films and writing plays. After university he hopes to do an MA in Film Production and in the long term become a film producer.
Natalie Williams
Natalie’s passion for film has led her to explore many different aspects of digital video production, from screenwriting, to editing and directing. Currently completing a BA Hons in Film Studies at Trinity University College, the short films she has contributed to are just the beginning. Her career objective is to be a feature film director.
Charlotte Jennings
Charlotte is currently completing her degree in English at Trinity University College, her enthusiasm and zeal for the subject leads her to write a variety of literature including scripts and plays. Surrealism is a frequent theme in her writing as it allows her to fully stretch her creative wings. As a long term goal she hopes to migrate into the field of medicine and eventually qualify as either a nurse or a sports therapist.
Frances Bain
Frances is a third year student, studying Creative writing and English. Frances enjoys writing plays, short films and working on her first novel. Her writing often centres upon the uncanny and the supernatural. On completion of her degree, Frances hopes to work in publishing or arts management. This is her second year as a member of the Ffrinj committee.
Tom Miller
Tom Miller is part of the Trinity Ffrinj Festival Committee for the second time having been involved in an ‘Evening of Monologues and Duologues’ at the Dylan Thomas Boathouse and the ‘Popular Song and Dance’ performance at last year’s festival. He is currently an undergraduate on the BA Acting degree at Trinity University College, Carmarthen . Having previously studied Drama & Theatre Studies in Cheltenham . This year Tom will be involved in the production of Edward Bond’s ‘Derek’ and the ‘Popular Song and Dance Evening’.
Tom Montgomery
Tom, originally from Coventry, is a second year BA Acting student at Trinity University College Carmarthen . He has had a keen interest in theatre since a very young age and is thoroughly enjoying his time at Trinity University College. After graduating Tom aspires to work professionally in the industry . Tom was part of the 2009 Ffrinj team and found it to be a very rewarding experience.
