11 September 2015
S4C Chief Executive Ian Jones has congratulated the Wales Millennium Centre on the eve of the celebrations in Cardiff Bay and the live broadcast of the event on S4C.
S4C Chief Executive, Ian Jones said,
"I congratulate Wales Millennium Centre on reaching this milestone. The iconic building has given a platform for a host of memorable performances, from the traditional to the innovative, and the centre has contributed hugely to the growth and diversity of the arts in Wales and the world. S4C has been privileged to broadcast some of the productions have on the stage. Recently, we announced a new partnership with the centre to develop a number of creative projects. We look forward to another decade of entertaining the people of Wales and the world and of innovation in the performing arts."
The Wales Millennium Centre's 10th birthday celebrations reach their climax with an extravaganza - a spectacular outdoor theatrical production - on Saturday evening, 12 September and S4C will be covering the event live, from 7.30 onwards, in Dathlu'r 10: Canolfan y Mileniwm.
A year in the planning and eight months in the making, the production 'Ar Waith ar Daith' with over 600 people taking part, will be staged in the Cardiff Bay basin in front of the Wales Millennium Centre. Nia Roberts will present the evening on S4C.
The age-old tale of 'The Birth of Taliesin' is at the heart of the performance. The Wales Millennium Centre itself will be transformed through collective imagination. Over the past six months, the Millennium Centre has been gathering gifts from near and far – paying tribute to the riches of the seas around north Wales, the mineral wealth of south Wales, and capturing stories and inspiration from across the land – through a series of outdoor arts training schools offered to Welsh creative practitioners.
Lured by the magical powers of Ceridwen, the enchantress from the tale of Taliesin, a flotilla of boats from the Welsh Sea Rowing Association will be completing their voyage in Cardiff Bay, joining schoolchildren from Caernarfon and young people from mid Wales and the Valleys. Some of the rowers will have journeyed from as far as Porthmadog, 230 miles away.
The role of Ceridwen will be performed by Shân Cothi and the exciting production will feature music composed by BAFTA award-winning composer John Rea. Ceridwen combines the poetic inspiration - the Awen - of contemporary Wales with the talents of dancers, musicians and singers linked to the Wales Millennium Centre.
The programme Dathlu'r 10: Canolfan y Mileniwm will also include highlights of a large number of events held throughout Wales linked to the celebrations. Among them will be a Crochan Ceridwen (Ceridwen's Cauldron) creative workshop in Caernarfon; the history, legends and stories associated with the birth of Taliesin in Castell y Bere, near Abergynolwyn, Gwynedd and sessions celebrating the might of iron and steel in Newport.
Since it opened in November 2004 the Wales Millennium Centre has welcomed over 13.5 million people through its doors and it is the home of another eight creative companies.
Hefin Owen, producer of Dathlu'r 10: Canolfan y Mileniwm, said, "It's delightful to be part of the celebrations of a centre that, not only has earned its place among us in Wales, but that has also received praise for its high standard performances throughout the world."
Dathlu'r 10: Canolfan y Mileniwm
Saturday 12 September 7.30, S4C
English subtitles
Website: s4c.cymru
A Rondo Media production for S4C
