"Theatr na nÓg welcomes the Welsh Government’s Priorities for Culture. As a company that works across the sector, partnering with museums and local heritage groups alongside our extensive schools work, it is encouraging to see progress from government in this area.
Theatr na nÓg, based in Neath Port Talbot, celebrated our 40th birthday last year and we are very aware how culture is integral to our communities and the impact theatre has on our young audiences. We agree wholeheartedly with the need “to provide cultural experiences for all children and young people”. It the core ethos of our company to provide high-quality, accessible theatre. Recently we were pleased to be mentioned by our Senedd representative Sioned Williams MS in the debate about the strategy, highlighting our recent production Just Jump / Y Naid and the real-life impact the play has had on young people.
However, sustaining that high-quality has cost implications, which we have seen increase dramatically over the last 5 years. Therefore an additional investment on theatre for young audiences from socio-economic areas such as ours here in South West Wales can only be a positive. We await details of the £8million in strategic capital funding, and we are encouraged by the added investment for venues; it is an indirect benefit for us as a touring production company, ensuring our venues are better resourced and accessible to all.
This year we have taken time to travel across Wales and meet with venues to talk about the issues they are facing. What came across was a sector that was burnt out from lack of resources, facing ever-increasing costs which cannot be matched by ticket prices or current funding levels. The ambition and enthusiasm is still there, but it is hard work. Long-term investment in the arts is still needed in order to take the proposed culture strategy forward.
Theatr na nÓg is a member of Creu Cymru who have been advocating tirelessly for the arts, petitioning the Welsh and UK Governments to prioritise culture. We’d like to thank them for their work representing us and other members. Their efforts are reflected in this strategy and we look forward to seeing what plans result from it."
Statement from Rachel Fryer, General Manager