YOUNG performers from across Pembrokeshire are preparing to take audiences on a journey to the underworld next weekend, as Escape Expressive Arts CIC presents Hadestown: Teen Edition at the De Valence Pavilion in Tenby.
Written by celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell, Hadestown intertwines two ancient Greek myths - Orpheus and Eurydice, and Hades and Persephone - in a compelling story of love, hope and the struggle between the natural world and industry. The Tony Award-winning musical is renowned for its distinctive blend of folk, jazz and blues influences.
For Escape Expressive Arts CIC Director Samantha Hughes, the production also has a strong personal connection.
Having grown up in Stepaside, surrounded by the former ironworks and colliery and the old railway tunnels through which coal wagons once travelled towards Saundersfoot Harbour, Samantha was inspired to interpret the themes of Hadestown through a distinctly local landscape. Her original concept was an immersive production beginning around Saundersfoot Harbour before travelling towards Stepaside Ironworks for Act Two - mirroring the journey from the natural world into the industrial underworld.
Although the unpredictability of September weather made an outdoor production impractical, the generous community rate offered by De Valence Pavilion has provided a fantastic opportunity to bring the production to Tenby and retain elements of that original concept in the design.
As a musician and flautist with a particular love of folk and jazz music, Samantha says Hadestown felt like a dream production to bring home to Pembrokeshire.
The production brings together 30 young performers, musicians and creatives, many of whom are at an exciting transition point in their lives - either preparing for, or just beginning, college or university and considering where their creative journey might take them next.
For these young people, the project has provided a unique opportunity to experience the demands of working on a large-scale musical alongside experienced creative professionals, developing their skills in acting, singing and musicianship while working as part of a professional-style production team.
The score will be played by some of Pembrokeshire's top musicians to accompany the outstanding vocals from the senior section of Escape Expressive Arts Company CIC.
And, importantly, it has been completely free for the young people taking part. Escape Expressive Arts CIC has worked to remove financial barriers to participation, with fundraising, sponsorship, ticket sales and community support helping to cover the costs of the production.
The project is also a fantastic example of the depth of creative talent within Pembrokeshire, with local professionals and volunteers collaborating across musical direction, theatre direction, choreography, set design, costumes, hair and makeup, photography, sound and lighting to bring the production to life.
“It’s a real example of what can happen when local creative professionals come together and invest their skills in young people,” says Samantha. “These young people are at such an important stage in their lives, and giving them the opportunity to work on a challenging production like this - regardless of their financial circumstances - is incredibly valuable. I couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who has joined me on this journey to create something special for this amazing cast.
“Escape Expressive Arts CIC would also like to thank Drainforce for kindly sponsoring the production and helping to make this opportunity possible.”
The cast will also be holding a fund raising evening ‘A Night at the Musicals’ at the Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock at 7pm tomorrow evening (Saturday, September 12). Then Hadestown: Teen Edition will be performed at De Valence Pavilion, Tenby, on Saturday, September 19 at 2pm and 7pm, and Sunday, September 20 at 2pm.
With the performances now just over a week away, audiences are encouraged to book their tickets and support these talented young performers.
Tickets are available from ticketsource.com/escape-cic .
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