Based in Narberth, SPAN Arts is one of 16 UK organisations partnering with Unlimited, an arts commissioning body that  supports, funds and promotes new work by disabled and neurodivergent artists for UK and international audiences.

The commission has been awarded to actor, writer and founder of Popty Ping Productions theatre company, Ceri Ashe to create ‘Farmers Townies and Grockles’, a bilingual play telling the true stories of the people of Pembrokeshire, directed by Anna Sherratt.

Ceri Ashe has been holding storytelling workshops and interviewing people from across Pembrokeshire about their lives. These true stories have been woven together to create a tapestry of voices that explores what it means to be a resident of this rural county; from farmers in Marloes, retired Welsh teachers in Cilgerran, barmen in Little Haven, to zumba instructors in Milford Haven.

The play is also an honest look at the issues facing people in Pembrokeshire today: the lack of affordable housing, the decline in Welsh speaking communities, and the future of farming.

Ceri says: “I have always been intrigued by the diverse range of people Pembrokeshire is home to, and it’s been a delight to go out into the community to speak to people from north and south of the county to create this play. 

“I’ve worked with SPAN previously to create online verbatim plays during lockdown, and it’s so exciting to now be able to create a live theatre show with a fantastic cast of professional and community actors all from Pembrokeshire.”

Pay what you can for this new show! Book your space at the March 22 performance at Pill Social Centre, Milford Haven, 7.30pm via the SPAN Arts website span-arts.org.uk .