OUTDOOR concerts and family fun days at Mold's Theatr Clwyd are to be part of a trial to inform future return of outdoor performances in Wales.

A limited number of small scale outdoor performances and sporting events are set to be trialled in Wales in an effort to begin a phased approach to the safe reopening of the events industry.

These and other changes to coronavirus regulations are being announced by First Minister Mark Drakeford at the Welsh Government media briefing on Friday (August 21).

The Leader:

Orpheus at Theatr Clwyd

The outdoor events include Welsh Triathlon’s planned ‘Return to Racing’ competition at Pembrey Country Park, which will be a closed venue and without spectators, and a car rally at Anglesey Circuit/Trac Mon Race track.

And in Flintshire, Theatr Clwyd has proposed for a number of live outdoor performances from August 27.

The outdoor shows will take place beside the theatre from August 27 to September 27, with limited capacity audiences and social distancing, and are key events in helping Welsh Government develop guidance enabling live performance to restart in Wales.

The Leader:

English by Tom Price

The season with tickets from just £5 includes a preview of Tim Price’s hilarious new comedy play English; Welsh musical theatre stars performing Welsh of the West End: Live; family show Three; and Orpheus, a spoken word and soul music show by acclaimed writer and director Alex Wright. There will also be live concerts from Tayo Aluko, Kidsmoke, Aleighcia Scott, The Goat Roper Rodeo Band, Mared Williams and Flintshire favourites Tip Top Productions.

The Leader:

Theatr Clwyd

Tamara Harvey, Theatr Clwyd’s Artistic Director said: “All that we’ve been fighting for and working for day after day through all of this - is to bring people back up our hill for moments of hope and laughter, and to share in a collective joy. This outdoor season means more to us than is possible to express in words; and brings us one step closer to the day when we can throw open our doors and tell stories together again”

The performances, the first since the venue’s enforced closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, is a step towards recovery after a five month hiatus that saw the theatre’s pre-planned April to December programme cancelled.

Throughout closure Theatr Clwyd has continued to support the local community – encouraging creativity in young and old and those most isolated through the online Together programme, hosting blood donation sessions for the Welsh Blood Service, distributing food packages to vulnerable families, leading digital dance workshops for those with Parkinson’s, and for the last four weeks, becoming a creative hub for vulnerable young people.

At Friday's Welsh Government briefing, the First Minister said outdoor events are being prioritised in this review period, while the weather is mild, due to evidence of lower transmission of coronavirus outdoors.

The Leader:

First Minister Mark Drakeford

If these small events can be carried out safely, and transmission of the virus remains low, it is hoped the next stage will be increased numbers of participants, allowing a limited number of spectators to attend sporting events and potentially considering trialling small scale business events.

The Leader:

Funny Gals at Theatr Clwyd

Mr Drakeford said: “While coronavirus remains effectively suppressed in Wales and cases continue to fall, the situation in the rest of the UK and further afield is still problematic. Coronavirus has not gone away and so, as we move out of lockdown and look to the future, it is important we do this in a careful and cautious way.

“We appreciate how hard it has been for families not seeing their loved ones and the impact restrictions on visiting care homes is having on people’s emotional, mental and even physical health."

For tickets and further information, please visit www.theatrclwyd.com