This large-scale, site-specific production performed in an ancient woodland near Usk, Monmouthshire, gave audiences a vivid glimpse into life – and death – in the trenches and battlefields of the Somme.
Inspired by Welsh writer Owen Sheers’ poem, Mametz Wood, it drew on written material by the poets who fought in or witnessed one of the bloodiest conflicts of the First World War, the Battle of Mametz Wood, in which 4,000 of the 38th (Welsh) Division were killed or wounded.
Among the soldiers who took part in the battle were several key Welsh and English war poets, including Robert Graves, David Jones, Siegfried Sassoon and Llewelyn Wyn Griffith, and Sheers’ own great-great-uncle, William Cross.
Mametz was co-commissioned by National Theatre Wales and 14-18 NOW, WW1 Centenary Art Commissions, supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
★★★★ ”fresh and visceral” The Guardian
★★★★ ”The finest commemoration of the First World War centenary I’ve seen to date” The Telegraph
“Mametz seems likely to be the finest commemoration of the Welsh contribution to the Great War.” The Arts Desk
Writer: Owen Sheers
Director: Matthew Dunster
Designer: Jon Bausor
Creative Associate: Christopher Morris
Lighting Designer: Lee Curran
Sound Designer: George Dennis
Movement Director: Christopher Akrill
Emerging Director: Gethin Evans
Music Director: Stacey Blythe