BLAENAVON Ironworks was transformed to the site of a rocket launch on Saturday, as Tin Shed Theatre Co put on their latest large-scale production.
Rocket Launch Blaenavon followed the story of local space cadet Elin in her journey into outer space, investigating the source of ‘The Blip’, an unknown message sent from beyond the stars.
Hundreds of people attended at the ironworks, with others streaming on the Infinity Space Wales website or watching along at the Riverfront in Newport, Cellb in Blaenau Ffestiniog and the CULTVR LAB in Cardiff.
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The production had been scheduled to take place last year, but organisers had to postpone it due to the pandemic.
“It was an absolutely incredible experience,” said director George Harris. “I don’t know if we were all quite ready for what was going to happen on the day.
“One of the most special moments for me was when the procession came down from the town with all the people who had helped us.
“It felt really emotional.
“The idea of the astronaut being a female as well felt important too. We have had comments from some parents saying that was the first time their children had seen an astronaut portrayed by a woman.
“There were lots of things that we hadn’t planned for. All the Bluetooth headsets had blue lights on them, so when it got dark it really put in to perspective how many people were there.
“And it was the first time that a lot of people had been out to something like this since the pandemic.
“When you work on something for a long time you go on a journey as an individual as well. Over that time, a lot of things happen in people’s personal lives and then you add the pandemic in to that. It’s impossible not to bring that with you and it does influence what you end up making.
“There were pieces in this that would not have been in there two years ago.
“It felt like what we were trying to do with the launch was to encapsulate the idea of hope and the idea that there is still hope, no matter how bleak it gets.
“It was a bit more dystopian before. But after the pandemic it felt like people just wanted some hope and something good. So we tried to channel all the goodness you saw from people helping out their local foodbanks or helping their neighbours who they had never met before, and include that goodness – without making it a show about the pandemic.”
Ms Harris said the scale of the production demonstrated the level of creative talent that exists in South Wales.
“There’s no way we could’ve done this without the creative team we’ve had around us,” she said.
“There were people early in their careers who were fresh out into a world where no theatres were open, as well as people who are experienced in putting on outdoor productions.
“It also shows that these people don’t just exist in London or Bristol, but are in Newport and Cardiff too.
“And we’d like to thank all the different venues, organisations, people and community groups who have helped us along the way.”
A video of the production will be posted on the Infinity Space Wales website on Friday, October 1 at 7.30pm.
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