Meet Wayne Needy – amateur astronomer, overweight, and hen pecked – and also the unwitting hero of the fantastic new production of Salsa!, a co-production between Theatr na n’Óg and Theatr Mwldan. which launches at Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan 6 – 8 October, 7.30pm.
Salsa! is a high energy welsh language rom-com that is set to sweep audiences off their feet this autumn, with a 12 date Wales-wide tour between 6th October and 4th November, following its launch at the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham in August 2011.
Phyl Harries, who plays leading character Wayne Needy, is one of Wales’ most popular actors with numerous TV appearances to his name (including Torchwood, Pobl y Cwm, Doctor Who and Tracey Beaker) as well as countless theatre credits both as an actor and director. Salsa! will give audiences a chance to see Phyl as he’s never been seen before – swivelling his hips seductively as he sweeps across the dance floor in this brand new play. The cast includes some familiar faces from welsh TV and stage – Carwyn Glyn, Betsan Llwyd, Laura Clement and Llinos Daniel also star. The cast have been placed under a gruelling training routine by dance choreographer Maggie Rawlinson to make sure they polish up their dance moves in time.
Phyl says: “Salsa is a great night out and I would encourage anyone who can speak even basic Welsh, or who is learning our wonderful language, to come along and enjoy the show which is suitable for learners of all standards. It’s a tremendous, well written play with lots of humour too. It’s also a very visual drama.
“It’s a great story about a middle-aged couple, Wayne and Rhian, who want to start a family and join a salsa class as a way of losing weight. Rhian twists her ankle and can’t carry on while Wayne, secretly trying to please his wife, continues with the classes so he can show her his new moves and the fact he’s shed a few pounds.
“The problem is the classes are run by the rather gorgeous Adela Vegas, a truly delicious Spanish dance teacher. And while Wayne, who turns out to be a bit of a natural when it comes to salsa, is encouraged by the stunning Adela he grows to love the attention a bit too much.”
And Phyl says the audience is kept in suspense wondering whether Wayne will follow his heart or his head when it comes to the crunch. Will he chose to stick with his wife or switch his affections to his dance teacher?
He says: “It’s a great play and a lot of fun. There are lots of other interesting characters we meet along the way and while there’s lots of dancing it’s not just salsa but cha cha and tango too. It’s a very physical play, really high energy.
“It’s a great night out but, be warned, we’ll have you up on your feet by the end of the show joining in with the cast and enjoying a bit of heart-pumping salsa too.”
The tour will set out to visit twelve venues around Wales following its launch at The National Eisteddfod in August 2011. Embarking on something that’s never been done before, audience members at Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre will be seated on the Donald Gordon stage, alongside the set. A truly unique experience for Salsa! audiences in Cardiff as they will be the first to see the stage and striking auditorium from this perspective not to mention being right up close to the action.
Written by Theatr na n’Óg Artistic Director Geinor Styles, the script has also been translated by Jeremi Cockram, who currently plays the part of Siôn White in BBC’s Pobol y Cwm.
Speaking of the influences behind the play Geinor says, “ I saw Baz Luhrman’s Strictly Ballroom in the cinema in the 90’s, and from that moment on I loved the idea of putting on a play that was immersed in the world of dance; then came Strictly Come Dancing, and suddenly the whole country was bitten by the bug. The enthusiasm for dance in whatever form was, and is, utterly infectious.
“And so I set about creating a play that encompassed a particular art form but one that very much has the power to literally sweep you off your feet, one that will lift your spirits; one that will take you away from the everyday.”
The show will also features the talents of Salsa pupils up and down the country – Theatr na n’Óg have recruited couples to take part in the performance and appear on the stage alongside the professional cast.
You can also follow our star Wayne Needy on twitter: @WayneNeedy. By going to our website www.theatr-nanog.co.uk and clicking on the youtube and flickr link, behind the scenes video footage and photos can be viewed.
This all new Welsh language production was launched at the Welsh National Eisteddfod in August.
Visit www.theatr-nanog.co.uk to see your nearest venue on the tour and for audience comments and video clips. Tickets for Salsa! at Theatr Mwldan are £12 (£10) and are available now from Mwldans Box Office on 01239 621200, or via the website www.mwldan.co.uk or mwldan.ticketsolve.com/mobile to book via Smart phone.
