A TURBULENT period of Monmouthshire’s history came to life in a musical which had its world premiere at the Millenium Centre in Cardiff last week.

Cast members gave a spirited performance at the show, in which the main characters are forced to flee from Monmouthshire in the Chartist Uprising and become embroiled in the Rebecca Riots.

It’s a part of history many don’t know much about, and writer Ian Michael Thomas seems to have made it his aim to show people their past, basing his story on The Hosts of Rebecca by Alexander Cordell, who also wrote Rape of the Fair Country.

Alis Wyn Davis, as Morfydd, describes how there are two kinds of people in Wales: those who are half Welsh and try to become as Welsh as possible, and those born and bred Welsh who try to move away from their heritage.

This show was certainly the former, looking to become more Welsh than a dragon draped in the national flag. As many of the actors hailed from London, its heritage credentials didn't have a long pedigree. Yet the characters’ accents mostly hit the mark, although a touch of Irish crept through at times.

Iain Mullett gave a convincing performance as Grandfer, still mourning the loss of Bronwen. Despite his character’s tragic life, his jollity in the face of difficulty provided necessary comic relief.

The play was a touch too earnest, with the pitch seldom varying from high passion, anger or sorrow. Some more casual, comic interludes would have been appreciated, although Gipsy May and the Floosies did meet with plenty of laughs.

Although there were some hiccups with sound, this can be excused as it was the musical’s first outing on the stage.

It was a great night out and a better history lesson than I’ve had in a while.

‘After Rebecca...’ showed at the Wales Millenium Centre from Tuesday August 6 until Friday August 9.