About Kidstown
Come and play.
Children aged 6-11 years old are invited to Kidstown by artists Nigel & Louise with designer Amy Pitt.
Kidstown is a massive game that children make up themselves.
After being handed a passport, kids will enter the giant outdoor arena. Here, they'll find stuff to play with, build and wear. Assistants will be on hand to help them realise their imaginings.
Grown-ups are invited to take a seat outside, relax and listen to the rolling news being broadcast of what’s happening inside.
Join us at Kidstown:
26-29 July, Newtown
Outside Oriel Davies Gallery, The Park, Newtown, Powys SY16 2NZ
5-12 August, Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru / The National Eisteddfod of Wales
Ar y maes, Llŷn ac Eifionydd, Boduan, Gwynedd LL53 6DW
At the Eisteddfod, Treantur (Kidstown) will be delivered in Welsh.
18-21 August, Ebbw Vale
Beaufort Colts Football Club, Brynteg Terrace, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent NP23 6NE
Accessibility
We’re offering sign-supported English, live illustrators, radio aid support, relaxed sessions, and touch tours. Each site has step-free access and is wheelchair accessible. Find out more about each location below.
What grown-ups need to be aware of
Children’s safety is a priority for us
- Grown-ups need to stay on-site whilst the child/children they are responsible for is at Kidstown. When you bring your child/children to Kidstown, you’ll be given a restaurant-style buzzer to hold onto that will make a noise when you need to collect your child. There is seating for grown-ups where you can wait and listen to the live broadcast of what's going on inside Kidstown, plus toilets and refreshments in the vicinity (see FAQs at the bottom of this page for details).
Children are free to come and go, and NTW is not responsible for children once they leave the site.
We've collaborated with a safeguarding expert who will be present at each location. We’ve developed a bespoke Safeguarding Policy and Risk Assessment for Kidstown.
All staff, artists and volunteers working in Kidstown have had a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and have received safeguarding training from our Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Image gallery
The journey of Kidstown
Meet Nigel & Louise
Kidstown is a project we’ve dreamed up with Nigel Barrett & Louise Mari with designer Amy Pitt.
If you don’t know Nigel & Louise, they make “wild, bold, visual performances for people who don’t really like theatre and unusual theatrical experiences for those who do”.
Their recent work includes Dog Ballet (dogs included) and Party Skills for the End of the World.
Access
General info
We’re working hard to make Kidstown accessible for all children through sign-supported English, live illustrators, radio aid support, relaxed sessions and touch tours. Use the toggles below to see what’s on offer at each location.
If you’d like to reserve a spot at any of these sessions, let us know at kidstown@nationaltheatrewales.org. Although booking isn’t required, this will enable us to save space for your child. We’ll follow up with a short form you can fill in to share extra details. Any information you share will help us make your experience better.
Newtown
28 July
BSL interpretation from Hafwen Parry and Charlotte Coley 13:00 - 16:00
Live illustrator from 13:00 - 16:00
Radio aid transmitters from 13:00 - 16:00
29 July
Relaxed session from 09:30 - 11:00
Touch tour by sighted guides at 13:00
Sighted guides on site from 13:00 - 16:00
Eisteddfod
7 August
Live illustrator from 13:00 - 16:00
Radio aid transmitters from 13:00 - 16:00
8 August
Touch tour by sighted guides at 13:00
Sighted guides on site from 13:00 - 16:00
9 August
Relaxed session from 09:30 - 11:00
Ebbw Vale
20 August
BSL interpretation from Nez Parr, Dawn Baker and Angela Shipp from 13:00 - 16:00
Live illustrator from 13:00 - 16:00
Radio aid transmitters from 13:00 - 16:00
21 August
Relaxed session from 09:30 - 11:00
Touch tour by sighted guides at 13:00
Sighted guides on site from 13:00 - 16:00
We laid the foundations of Kidstown in Newtown in August 2022. Over two weeks, local artists and the community helped us prototype the idea.
Over summer 2023 at Newtown, the Eisteddfod and Ebbw Vale, we’re collecting interviews and stories from the young participants of Kidstown in order to create an epic show in 2024.
FAQs
Can I leave my child?
No. Grown-ups need to stay on-site whilst the children they are responsible for are in Kidstown. You’ll be given a restaurant-style buzzer that will make a noise when you need to collect your child. Our team will share more details at the entrance of Kidstown on what grown-ups should do and where you can relax and wait whilst your child is taking part.
My kid is 8. They can walk home from school on their own, why do I need to stay?
Kidstown isn’t like school. These procedures are in place to protect your kids. Grown-ups need to stay for safeguarding reasons.
My child is quite anxious, will they be okay on their own?
Our team within Kidstown includes people with experience of working with children aged 6-11. They are on hand to support any child who may need it.
We also have relaxed sessions if they’d prefer to play when it’s a little quieter:
Newtown - 29 July from 09:30 - 11:00
Eisteddfod - 9 August from 09:30 - 11:00
Ebbw Vale - 21 August from 09:30 - 11:00
Will there be food and drinks available?
In Newtown and Ebbw Vale, we’re providing lunch for 100 children and will be serving it to those who are inside Kidstown from 12pm. There will be lunch bags with cheese sandwiches, plus vegan and gluten free options available, accompanied by a drink, a piece of fruit and a packet of crisps. We cannot take any responsibility for any allergies.
There will be water available for children in Kidstown.
How long can my child stay?
As long as they want. They can come and go as they please if they need to see you or use the toilets. Your restaurant-style buzzer will make a noise when you need to collect your child.
Where does my money go?
We are a charity so your support will help us do more theatre projects like this around Wales. Sign up to our newsletter to find out more in just a few clicks.
My child is almost 6 years old / has only just turned 12 years old, can they come in?
Unfortunately not. Kidstown has been created especially for 6-11 year olds. If grown-ups bring older or younger children, there will be some games outside by the seating for them to enjoy whilst they wait.
How do I find Kidstown at the Eisteddfod?
We’re near Pentraf Plant. Here’s a site map. Kidstown is open from 11am - 4pm each day.
How do I find Kidstown in Ebbw Vale?
Arriving by foot - Kidstown is taking place on the football fields of Beaufort Colts Football Club, at 69 Brynteg Terrace.
Arriving by car - There is free parking available next to RTB Ebbw Vale Football Club, which is after Beaufort Colts Football Club on Brynteg Terrace. There is one disabled parking space outside Beaufort Colts Football Club.
Arriving by bike - There's a fence around the football club that bikes can be secured to.
Arriving by bus/train - Public transport information is available at Traveline Cymru.
Ebbw Vale Town train station is about a 23-minute walk from Brynteg Terrace. The E1 bus runs from Corus General Offices, a 3-minute walk from Ebbw Vale Town train station, to the Hilltop Shopping Centre, which is a 5-minute walk from Beaufort Colts Football Club.
What3words - husky.imagined.fame.
Cast
- The Press
- Nigel Barrett
- The Press
- Louise Mari
- The Press
- Mirain Fflur
- The Press (Eisteddfod)
- Aaron William-Davies
- The Press (Eisteddfod)
- Ceri Ashe
Creative team
- Designer
- Amy Pitt