19 September 2011

It may only be September but Christmas preparations have already begun for the community of Rhosllannerchrugog with a unique festive challenge to complete.

Local television personality and producer, Stifyn Parri, today (Friday 16 September) announced plans of a new S4C reality series, Seren Nadolig, that will follow locals in Rhosllannerchrugog and the surrounding area as they create and produce a Christmas pantomime.

The iconic Stiwt building in the heart of the village will be the setting of the production on Sunday 4 December.

The search is now on for actors, singers, musicians, directors, producers, dressmakers, set designers, scriptwriters, make-up artists, choirs, dancers, marketing and salespeople to join the challenge.

Open auditions for the roles in the pantomime will take place at the Stiwt on the 27th September. The first full rehearsal for the chorus is scheduled for Tuesday 4th October.

Stifyn Parri, who runs his own Creative Events and Public Relations company Mr Producer in Cardiff, says: “It's going to be a real race against time to get this project up and running so the more people involved, the better. There’s no age restriction and you don’t have to speak Welsh to be part of the project – everyone is welcome.

“We've got just over ten weeks to make this dream a reality and every step will be caught on camera for S4C series, Seren Nadolig (Star of Christmas), which will be broadcast weekly from 8 November.”

All monies raised from the ticket sales will be returned to the Stiwt to develop a brand new community and rehearsal room for the youth theatre and local community to enjoy.

Seren Nadolig follows the success of S4C series Seren Bethlehem in 2009 when a community in Carmarthenshire recreated the nativity in a barn in the village of Bethlehem. The series followed the trials and tribulations of the locals as they created the unique production – all with a newborn baby, a donkey, hundreds of schoolchildren and a baby lamb who stole the show!

S4C’s Communications Director, Garffild Lloyd Lewis, says “We’re very happy with the warm welcome that we have received thus far from the Rhosllannerchrugog community and we look forward to supporting the pantomime’s progress. S4C will also be visiting the area in October for our Calon Cenedl (Heart of the Nation) campaign, hosting numerous events, including an opportunity for the local community to voice their opinion on S4C programmes and services and to meet the channel’s directors in a Viewers’ Evening.”

Ends