WLTM Productions brings CAITLIN to Laugharne

Before the poet Dylan Thomas died at the tender age of 39, he and his wife Caitlin boozed, binged and brawled their way through the bars of Britain in the 1930’s and 40’s. Their marriage was stormy, passionate and explosive and Caitlin tells their story, in her own brutally honest words, in this one-woman show written by Mike Kenny, directed by Steve Elias and performed by Christine Kempell.

Having returned to Brighton Fringe in 2022, Caitlin then went on the road to Wales, playing Theatrau Sir Gar’s Miners Theatre in Ammanford and Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli. It played at Greenside Venues Ivy Studio as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival August 2022.  WLTM Productions sold out at the London Welsh Centre on 3^rd and 4^th October as part of the 2022 Caitlin tour. Caitlin was then commissioned to appear for one night at Blackwood Miners’ Institute on Thursday 27^th October at 7.30pm with a Q and A afterwards. It sold out at the Alma Tavern and Theatre Bristol in January 2023 and returned for three nights on 30^th & 31^st May and 1^st June 2023.

This is the first time Caitlin has been performed in Laugharne since 2014 when Helen Griffen reprised her original role to mark the centenary of Dylan’s birth. Christine and Helen had performed together in a Frank Vickery play, and it was through her friendship with Helen that Christine first saw Caitlin.  

Please note that, as Caitlin's language was somewhat "colourful", this event is suitable for over 14s only.

Reviews

https://broadwaybaby.com/shows/caitlin/759401 ***** 5 stars

“I cannot recommend Kempell's performance highly enough.”

http://fringereview.co.uk/review/edinburgh-fringe/2022/caitlin-2/

“Caitlin Macnamara arrives onstage in this one woman show like a tempered whirlwind. Her mission is to show us that she should never have been ignored – it is a hugely successful performance.”

http://brighton.fringeguru.com/reviews/brighton-2018/caitlin ***** 5 stars

“A treat to watch with plenty to think about after.”

http://fringereview.co.uk/review/brighton-fringe/2018/caitlin/

“Kempell roams, strides, crawls and dances across the stage, over chairs and tables, using a simple shawl to represent multiple props. A composite professional performer giving everything to a role.”

https://www.bristol247.com/culture/theatre/review-caitlin-alma-tavern-theatre-its-a-remarkable-performance/

“Kempell is totally engaging. It’s a remarkable performance, of which Kempell and Elias should be proud.”

https://stagetalkmagazine.com/p/28076

“Christine Kempell, gloriously disheveled and bar-room ready, bare legged in a dark petticoat, gives a bitter sweet account of her often turbulent relationship with Thomas. Director, Steve Elias, finds plenty of emotional movement in what is a compelling performance by Christine Kempell.”

Audience comments:

“Incredibly moving writing and brilliantly acted.”

“What an amazing performance.”

“I would watch it again and again.”

“A tour de force in the production and acting.”