Tom Kemp praises Mr Jones, a new play about the Aberfan disaster now touring in West and North Wales.
After premiering to rave reviews in London, Mr Jones, crafted by young Welsh playwright and actor Liam Holmes, takes centre stage in Theatr Soar, Merthyr.
This new play provides a profound exploration of the Aberfan disaster of 1966, a tragedy that reverberated through the valleys of South Wales. Set against the backdrop of the catastrophic spoil tip collapse in the small village of Aberfan, Mr Jones skilfully intertwines elements of poetry, verbatim accounts, and first-hand experiences to construct a narrative that honours the lives forever altered by this harrowing event.
Central to the narrative is the character of Stephen Jones, portrayed by Holmes himself. Jones is abruptly interrupted mid-boasting to Angharad (Tanwen Stokes), as 150,000 tonnes of coal hurtle down the hillside towards Pantglas Junior School.
Holmes’ captivating performance successfully draws the audience into the immediacy of the situation, and we are unable to divert our gaze as the tension mounts.
Blending elements of poetry and authentic accounts into his script, Holmes breathes life into the voices of those whose stories may have otherwise been forgotten, ensuring that their memories endure long after the final curtain falls.
Tanwen Stokes gives a solid performance as Angharad Price, but Holmes’ portrayal of Stephen Jones, the cheeky Valleys boy and self-proclaimed rugby prodigy of Aberfan, is nothing short of mesmerising. From the moment he takes the stage, Holmes commands attention, effortlessly guiding the audience through the narrative’s emotional highs and lows.
His ability to evoke empathy and understanding for the individuals affected by the disaster is a testament to his skill as both a playwright and performer. Blending elements of poetry and authentic accounts into his script, Holmes breathes life into the voices of those whose stories may have otherwise been forgotten, ensuring that their memories endure long after the final curtain falls.
Mr Jones stands as a testament to the power of theatre to illuminate and honour the human experience. With young playwrights such as Holmes emerging throughout Wales, the future of Welsh theatre is in safe hands.
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Through Liam Holmes’ masterful performance and storytelling, audiences are invited to bear witness to a tragedy that shook the nation, leaving an indelible mark on the collective consciousness. It is a play that challenges us to confront the past, reflect on the present, and ultimately, to find hope in the resilience of the human spirit.
Mr Jones will be travelling North in April, with performances in Canolfan Arad Goch in Aberystwyth and Ty Pawb in Wrexham.
Mr Jones is touring in Aberyswyth and Wrexham until April 26.
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