Petula
Spring 2022
About Petula
How the hell do you grow up when the world around you is falling apart?
Pwdin Evans is on a mission. There’s so much in this world he can no longer deal with; his ridiculous parents, step-parents, the weight of his teenage worries, gravity, all of it. So, he launches himself into space, in search of answers and his missing cousin Petula.
National Theatre Wales, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and August012 join forces to bring you Petula, a brand-new production of Fabrice Melquiot’s extraordinary play. Directed by Mathilde Lopez with a script by Daf James that mixes Welsh, English and a little French.
An unforgettable and surreal mix of dark comedy and adventure. A visual feast about relationships, language and love. Petula will be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before!
★★★★ “A story-world in which nothing is remotely conventional” The Stage
Find out more at petula.cymru
Download the Petula Digital Programme
Trailer
Production photos
Reviews
★★★★ “A story that could be Roald Dahl or early Spielberg…this production is nothing if not unique” The Stage
“Filled with stage with images that expand the edges of the universe” The Guardian
“This tender, affecting and utterly bonkers play is perhaps the ideal antidote to these challenging times” Nation.cymru
“Petula offers much to enjoy. The comedy is goofy and surreal. The heart of the play is poignant and raw” Wales Arts Review
“A dizzying mix of English, Welsh and French, which the cast negotiates with endless grace to great comical effect.” IWA
“The action may be absurd but the trauma and confusion of growing up are totally realistic” The Observer
“Funny enough to make me laugh so much I started to worry about needing a new ribcage” Nation.cymru
“A bouncy, bonkers and ballsy experience! Go see it! 💯” Audience reaction
“Surreal and hilarious with an emotional edge which keeps drawing you back to flashes of your teenage self.” Audience reaction
“My first ever trilingual theatre experience.#Petula blew our tiny minds. It’s like an incredibly poignant surrealist comedy poem that lasts for 80 minutes. We loved every moment. Wonderful. Go.” Audience reaction
“A transporter flea, Neil Armstrong speaking Welsh and a planet with just Beyoncé & Ed Sheeran on it! What’s not to love? Bonkers and right up my street. Congrats all.” Audience reaction
Access
Audio Description (AD)
AD performances at the Sherman Theatre:
Friday 18 March: audio described in Welsh by Ioan Gwyn.
Saturday 19 March: audio described in English by Ioan Gwyn, accompanied by a live Welsh to English audio translation of the script by Carys Eleri. Tickets are just £10 for this brand new provision.
You can pick up your wireless headphones in the foyer of the Sherman Theatre.
AD introduction note:
Before the show, there will be an introduction note available at the theatre and on this page.
BSL performances by Catheryn McShane
Wednesday 16 March: Sherman Theatre, Cardiff Pontio
Friday 25 March: Pontio, Bangor
Captions
All performances of Petula are fully captioned. There are two captioned screens in the auditorium:
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The captioned screen on the right is in English with Welsh dialogue translated
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The captioned screen on the left is in English and Welsh with no translation
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A little of the dialogue is in French. This is captioned on both screens but not translated
Both screens should be visible from all seats, but you may wish to choose a seat diagonally opposite your preferred screen.
If you would like to discuss access requirements, call Pete on 029 2035 3075 or email boxoffice@nationaltheatrewales.org
AD introduction note
BSL introduction
Meet Dewi Wykes
Rehearsal photos
Rehearsals with Daf and Mathilde
Cast
Petula
Kizzy Crawford
Joe Potatoslouch
Tom Mumford
Dad
Sion Pritchard
Mami
Clêr Stephens
Amethyst Crappp
Rachel Summers
Pwdin Evans
Dewi Wykes
Creative team
Writer
Fabrice Melquiot
Concept and direction
Mathilde López
Translation and adaptation
Daf James
Assistant Director
Siobhan Brennan
Designer
Jean Chan
Composer
Branwen Munn
Choreographer
Leighton Wall
Lighting Designer
Joe Price
Video Designer
Will Monks
Script Consultant
