Mastering robotic movements is not a skill that many actors would expect to get acquainted with during a career on the stage.
But that’s the task facing Andrea Edwards as she gets to grip with playing a robot in the futuristic 3D production Dividefaid by theatre company Cwmni Frân Wen.
“It took me right back to my robotic disco dancing days in the 80’s” said Andrea in a break from her robot costume in rehearsals.
The Dolgellau based actor plays the part of robot D-Ben in the show, which begins touring North West Wales on the 9th of November: “My character plays the friendly face of a futuristic cloning cooperation that’s scouring the world for human beings that fit their cloning criteria. Quite scary really.”
Iola Ynyr directs the visual projection show which stars Andrea and renowned Welsh actor Dyfrig Evans.
Ynyr describes it as a “mind-blowing visualisation that will encourage the audience to question the world they live in.
“The audience will step into the realms of a 3D world, with light projections and visual explosions playing a big part in a magical theatre experience.”
This will be the Anglesey based theatre company’s first steps into projection theatre as they look to offer a unique show. “We are trying to ignite people’s perceptions and imaginations through creating a futuristic world using advanced projection technology,” added Ynyr who is Cwmni Frân Wen artistic director.
The man behind the 3D visualisations is Colwyn Bay based Rob Spaull from digital media company Mediapod. Rob, who has over 10 years experience of producing realtime 3D graphics and visualisations, and set designer Gwyn Eiddior has created a virtual 3D world that sits within the maze like structure of the set.
“We’ve created digital visuals that will question the audience’s sense of reality and space,” said Rob, who was involved with last month’s Conwy Flic festival last month which used Conwy Castle as the backdrop for a projection show.
The name Dividefaid is derived from the words divide and defaid (Welsh for sheep) because the interactive show asks the audience to make decisions that will ultimately see them herding together or separating.
And what of Andrea’s grasp on the robotic moves: “Coming back to me slowly. I’m actually quite enjoying it and I might take them with me on my next night out!”
The tour of ‘Dividefaid’, will take place from 9 November – 9 December 2011. Tickets 01248 715 048 or www.franwen.com.
