MAMETZ

We lined up at the top of the field at Great Llancayo Upper Wood near Usk in Monmouthshire to watch a new National Theatre of Wales(NTW) production-Mametz by Owen Sheers, and directed by Matthew Dunster. The NTW has moved into large site-specific productions based in some interesting places across Wales, including last year, 'The Persians' on Ministry of Defence land in the Brecon Beacons.
    Mametz is based on the memoir of Wyn Griffiths' time as a Staff Officer in World War 1, the experience of David Jones,a writer and artist, and the 38th Division's Battle for Mametz Wood.
    Owen was commisioned by the BBC to produce a film of the battle of Mametz Wood. While he was doing this a war grave was discovered nearby. Twenty British soldiers, probably from a 'Pals' regiment had been buried arm in arm. In response Owen wrote his poem, 'Mametz Wood,'  and from that the play developed. 
   There must have been nearly a thousand people walking through the trenches last Friday. The production used farmland, fields,a barn with sliding doors that looked out onto a wood, and the oak and sycamore wood itself. As sunset glowed a golden light and shadows fell, we were taken through the horrors of that battle and the war. So much human potential wasted. As I watched I thought of all the young men and women who have been used as fodder in war. The bodies lying in Mametz Wood in 1916 could be those dying in wars Iraq, Syria, and the Ukraine in 2014. Have we learnt nothing?

   It's a moving epic production. DON'T MISS IT!  It's on for another week. Contact NTW 029 2035 3070 W.NationaltheatreWales.org. Bookings through the Wales Millenium Centre.