National Theatre Wales and Royal Court Theatre

On Bear Ridge

by Ed Thomas

On Bear Ridge Top / Details / Extras / The Company
Thu 24 Oct - Sat 23 Nov 2019

“One minute we had customers, the next minute there was no-one.”

In a lost village, blurred by redrawn borders, hidden under a crumb on the map, Bear Ridge Stores still stands.

After a hundred years, the family butchers and grocers – a place for odds and ends, contraband goods, and the last petrol pump for 30 miles – is now silent.

But owners John Daniel (Rhys Ifans) and Noni (Rakie Ayola) are not leaving.

They are defiantly drinking the remaining whiskey and remembering good times, when everyone was on the same side and the old language shone.

Outside in the dark, a figure is making their way towards them.

A semi-autobiographical story about the places we leave behind, the indelible marks they make on us, and the unreliable memories we hold onto.

Ed Thomas is an award-winning writer for screen and theatre. He co-created the television drama Hinterland and his plays include House of America and Gas Station Angel, which premiered at the Royal Court. Royal Court Artistic Director Vicky Featherstone and Ed Thomas will co-direct On Bear Ridge.

No Petrol for 12 Miles – captured on film
A VR experience bringing the landscape of Penwyllt, Wales to Sloane Square
To accompany the production of On Bear Ridge, we are hosting a virtual reality experience which allows audiences to further immerse themselves in the world of the play. More info.

Post-show gig by Bragod | Thurs 21 Nov

Bragod will perform a special gig in the Royal Court bar after the On Bear Ridge evening performance on Thurs 21 Nov. The gig is free and will start at 9.30pm.

The music for On Bear Ridge draws upon Bragod’s groundbreaking work.

Bragod is an unique duo which has performed Welsh medieval poetry with music since 1999. Bragod’s work springs from the use of original instruments and sources and collaboration with experts in medieval Welsh literature.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“[A] potent study of the places we leave behind.”

The Observer | Clare Brennan Read full review

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"An excellent tragicomic play elevated further by Rhys Ifans and the ensemble."

The Stage | Nicholas Davies Read full review

★ ★ ★ ★

“Absorbing, moving and intriguing.”

The Sunday Times | Patricia Nicol Read full review

★ ★ ★ ★

"Rhys Ifans shines in Ed Thomas’s surreal, tender drama about people making do in a post-apocalyptic world."

Time Out | Alice Saville Read full review

★ ★ ★ ★

“Extraordinary…Rhys Ifans performs a masterclass in tragicomic sensibility.”

The Arts Desk | Aleks Sierz Read full review

★ ★ ★ ★

“Hauntingly novel [and] constantly affecting.”

WhatsOnStage | Alex Wood Read full review

"On Bear Ridge is simultaneously timeless and horribly relevant.”

Exeunt Magazine | Lilith Wozniak Read full review

"Cai Dyfan’s design… manages to be at once remote, desolate, and claustrophobic.”

Nation.Cymru | Emily Garside Read full review

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Jerwood Theatre Downstairs

Mon – Sat: 7.30pm (except 28 Oct 7pm)
Thu & Sat mats: 2.30pm (from 31 Oct)

Captioned: Wed 6, 13, 20 & Fri 22 Nov 7.30pm

Audio Described: Sat 23 Nov 2.30pm (Touch tour 1pm)

Relaxed Environment: Sat 16 Nov 2.30pm

Running time: 85 minutes with no interval

Gunshots are used in the performance

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