This article discusses the impressive performance of “The Letter Killers Club” by students from The Awen Project.This article discusses the impressive performance of “The Letter Killers Club” by students from The Awen Project. Background: * The Awen Project is a democratic school that empowers students to create their own theatre shows. * For six months, students worked on adapting the novel “The Letter Killers Club” by Sigizmund Krzhizhanovsky into a stage play. Performance Highlights: * The play featured a mature plot, dynamic drama, spooky suspense, and pantomime comedy. * The cast showcased strong expressiveness, stage presence, and technical skills. * Innovative puppetry added an engaging element to the performance. Intimate Experience and Imperfections: * The black box theatre setting provided an immersive experience for the audience. * The occasional technical difficulties and imperfections added authenticity and charm. Importance of Creative Works: * The play emphasized the value of storytelling and creativity, despite societal pressures. * The students’ passion and camaraderie enhanced the performance. Support for The Awen Project: * Founder Charlotte Church praised the students’ efforts and aspirations. * The project encourages creative expression and empowers students with theatre skills. The article concludes by encouraging support for The Awen Project and highlights the importance of independent, not-for-profit news services like Nation.cymru.
The Letter Killers Club by The Awen Project
Molly F. Stubbs
Whether you’ve landed a leading role that made your friends jealous, or are a seasoned audience member at school plays, youth theatre has probably played a part in your life. In my case, I was thrust into the arms of am-dram teachers every Saturday for the last sixteen years, if only to give my parents a break.
Despite the nervous, shaky breathing, the inevitable breaking of props and a twinge of embarrassment that came with it all, the memories of my time as a young actor are still fondly remembered.
But my time in youth theater, like that of many others, was governed by the tried, tested, and well-worn “do as you’re told” production method. Our instructors gave us pre-selected scripts of established plays, chose roles, staged scenes, gave parents strict instructions on costumes, and escorted us backstage. In many ways, this is how professional theater productions operate.
For the students of The Awen Project, however, the creative control for their latest production was entirely in their hands. In January 2024, the democratic school, which holds its classes in the South Wales forest, launched a curriculum designed by Jonathan Powell Field and Valentine Gigandet to “help students (aged 11-15) write, design, direct, perform and promote their own theatre show.” After six months of work, the result, The Letter Killers Club, premiered at Kings Road Yard on July 4 to a sold-out audience.
You may be scratching your head in mild confusion as you read that title, as I was a few nights ago. The Letter Killers Club is not a play you’ve ever heard of, because it’s not a play at all. It’s a novel by Soviet author Sigizmund Krzhizhanovsky, which served as the inspiration for the students’ script.
Fantastic stories
The story follows a clandestine group of storytellers who, since their society has banned everything from fairy tales to folios, take their lives into their own hands every time they meet. The members of The Letters Killers Club spin fantastical tales, played out entirely for the audience, while being persecuted by the ruling conglomerates who take drastic measures against them.
Adapting a story for the stage is a huge feat in itself, and one that even some established playwrights have yet to attempt. But with a combination of dynamic drama, spooky suspense and pantomime comedy, all in just the right amounts at just the right times, the cast and crew of
The Letter Killers Club have made the feat look easy. The plot is surprisingly mature in its complexity and satisfyingly rounded out, to the extent that their script could be (and absolutely should be) published and reproduced by theater groups across the country.
The Letter Killers Club by The Awen Project
Immersion
Even more impressive is the cast’s ability to perform so closely to their audience. Black box theatres are known for providing an intimate experience that, again, even seasoned professionals struggle to achieve. With the fourth wall perhaps as thin as it can be in Kings Road Yard, I was pleasantly surprised by the actors’ dedication to their work, which made for an at-times effortless immersion that made the hour-long performance feel more like fifteen minutes. I was simultaneously pleased and eager to see much more of what the students of The Awen Project could do.
Considering that the six leads took on multiple roles and switched between them at breakneck speed, what stands out are the mesmerizing expressiveness of Imeldamai Pyke, the angelic voice of Neve Darlington, the archetypal control of Osian Bridges, the enormous stage presence of Isabelle Jennings, the hilarious cross-casting of Rowan Fernando and the breathtaking, surprisingly young characterization of Dexter Henson.
The story provided a solid foundation and the icing on the cake was the cast using a range of advanced techniques, the best of which was undoubtedly the puppetry of Celyn Hudson, Arthur Croad and Will Maybury.
With the help of Chloe Maybury, Ruby Henson and Ethan Wyatt keeping things moving behind the scenes, and the lights and projections of Josh Armstrong and Manny Cole, I was a little annoyed that the black curtains in the background didn’t open to reveal a theater with a proscenium arch. That would have been much more fitting for the show unfolding before me.
But despite the enviable quality (which my youth theatre groups never managed to achieve), it was precisely the imperfections that I most admired about The Letter Killers Club. I happened to get a seat in the front row, so I witnessed not only a captivating performance, but also funny snapshots that exploded at the last moment, curtains that tore, hands that shook and congratulatory thumbs between cast members from opposite wings.
Sublime experience
In my day, I would have considered these events to be things that went ‘wrong’, but when I saw them happen in The Letter Killers Club and still found myself immediately drawn back to the story, the only possible conclusion was that they elevated the experience. While the team will likely consider them areas for improvement in the future, these moments added a layer of authenticity and charm that I wouldn’t have given up in my pursuit of ‘perfection’.
They serve as a reminder that the magic of theatre lies not only in flawless execution, but also in the unfiltered passion and camaraderie of the performers. Every squeaky microphone and technical difficulty is something to be proud of in its own way – evidence that the students of The Awen Project have created an exemplary theatre experience, from long before casting to curtain.
The project’s founder, Charlotte Church, echoed my sentiments in her statement: “When I started Awen, this was the kind of thing I hoped the students would do. This isn’t just a school play – this is a group of passionate young people who have founded a theatre company and learned all the skills they need to run one along the way. I couldn’t be prouder.”
To highlight the importance of creative works in a world that doesn’t give them the appreciation they deserve, The Letter Killers Club is a great match for the unorthodox production team who, with the help of their tutors, have overcome the limitations that plague their characters. I sincerely hope that more of the same stage-based whimsy comes from this group and that I get to be there at the forefront.
The Letter Killers Club runs until 7th July at Kings Road Yard Studio in Pontcanna. Remaining tickets are available here . If you’d like to know more about The Awen Project, you can find out more on their website . Additional updates are posted regularly on their student-run Instagram.
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