Theatr Clwyd Begins Search For A Producer To Bring One Of Powis Castle's Untold Stories To Life

The search begins for a producer to bring one of Powis Castle's untold stories to life.

Powis Castle, near Welshpool in Mid-Wales, and Theatr Clwyd unveil an exciting new partnership to tell one of Powis' previously uncovered stories. The partnership provides a unique opportunity for a producer to join their team, and reimagine the castle's fascinating historic interior.

The opulent state rooms and formal gardens of Powis Castle tell us much about the wealthy Herbert family who made the castle their home for hundreds of years. Yet scratch beneath the surface and Powis hides an unexpected Second World War story.

From 1939-1946, the Ballroom and other buildings at the castle played host, not to glamorous society parties as you might expect, but to a group of pupils and teachers from The Ashford Welsh Girls School who were evacuated from Middlesex when war was declared.

The girls, aged 11-16, boarded at the castle at the invitation of George Herbert, 4th Earl of Powis, who was a governor of the school at the outbreak of the war.

Recent interviews with several ex-pupils tell an intriguing story of gym classes in the Ballroom, midnight feasts, homesickness, school plays and the exciting discovery of a secret room which glittered with golden artefacts.

The story will be launched in 2019, the 80th anniversary of the school moving to castle, and will run alongside the story of the Herbert family who were also deeply affected by the war.

Emma Thompson, General Manager at Powis Castle and Garden says: "We're really looking forward to telling this little-known story about Powis' history and the partnership with Theatr Clwyd gives us an opportunity to do it in a new and exciting way. We'll be using film, audio installations, dressed spaces and live interpretation to immerse visitors in the story and really bring it to life. Visitors will be able to experience what the war years were really like at Powis by getting involved with classroom activities, war-time craft, sports days and the preparations for the all-important school play."

Work is already well underway and Lucy Gough, an award-winning scriptwriter based in Wales and Tamara Harvey, Theatr Clwyd's Artistic Director, have developed a script which tells the story in 8 chapters, which will span over two years.

The search is now on to employ a producer to work on this unique project, reimagining the castle's interior and taking the script into development.

Liam Evans-Ford, Theatr Clwyd's Executive Director, commented: "This is a special partnership between Theatr Clwyd and Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol National Trust to enhance the visitor experience at Powis Castle. We are delighted to share this fascinating wartime story with new audiences in a beautiful Welsh heritage setting. It's a wonderful way to celebrate the anniversary of this unusual chapter in the castle's long and distinguished history and the partnership also offers more job opportunities for artists and storytellers."

"We're looking for someone who has some producing experience to join the team here at Theatr Clwyd with a focus on delivering this project with our colleagues at Powis Castle."

The project will be directed by Hannah Noone. Originally from Colwyn Bay, she is Artistic Director of Opera'r Ddraig and Co-founder of Welsh Youth Performance Academy.

Applications are now open. For full details see https://www.theatrclwyd.com/en/get-involved/opportunities-vacancies/opportunities/. The closing date for applications is Monday 16 July.

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