Theatr Felin-fach in Ceredigion celebrates its 40th birthday this year.
The activity within the theatre, and the activity within the community which has derived from the theatre, has resulted in an avalanche of talent which has, and continues, to enrich all aspects of life in Wales.
In the S4C documentary Theatr Fawr Felin-fach this week, we'll celebrate that talent while also taking a look at the history of the theatre through the medium of archive material and the memories of those who have played a role in its development.
Actor Rhys ap Hywel (who plays Llŷr in the S4C drama Teulu, and who has also appeared in many theatre and TV productions including Belonging and Pobol y Cwm) presents the documentary. He has a close connection with Theatr Felin-fach, as the programme's co-producer, Euros Lewis, explains. "Rhys is part of the theatre's ouput. This is where he got his first freedom to create," he says.
Euros is proud of the energetic spirit which explodes within the theatre and which is willing to challenge and push boundaries.
"There is certainly a mischievous side to Theatr Felin-fach. You could describe it as a young person who refuses to conform. I would say that it's a centre for creating, not a centre for performing. The emphasis is on the process of creating. The productions pose questions about the threats which face life in today's rural Wales."
In addition to the archive material, which includes clips from Welsh language news and current affairs programmes Y Dydd a Heddiw, which were broadcast in the 1960s and 70s, the programme also contains scenes from some of the theatre's productions over the years, including the film Hambôns.
This production was a commission from the national youth movement, the Urdd, for its National Eisteddfod at Lampeter in 1999. Instead of the expected stage production, a cinematic film was produced with its main theme being the conflict between the indigenous children of the area and the children of those who had moved into the area. It made quite an impression and was later broadcast on S4C. It's still being shown in schools all over Wales.
