Pontio and Invertigo Theatre Company establish new and exciting three-year relationship

Pontio, Bangor University's brand new arts and innovation centre have announced Invertigo (‘exciting young company’  -The Stage) as an Associate Company for the next three years, and both organisations are looking forward to working together to offer audiences dynamic new theatre in both Welsh and English.

The first step of this journey has been a period of writing and rehearsing My Body Welsh in Pontio’s Studio, which culminated in a ‘Work in Progress’ event at Pontio. Exploring how ideas of nationhood are created through shared stories or collective fictions, My Body Welsh is a playful interrogation of small-town myth making, placing Wales and what it means to be Welsh at its heart. This co-production between Invertigo and The Conker Group also features an inventive use of sound, using live captured audio and playback, cultivating a sense of a storytelling community sitting around a campfire. Invertigo intends to tour this new, one-man show in Spring 2017.

The four co-founders of Invertigo met at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and both Steffan Donnelly and Siôn Alun Davies hail from Wales, Steffan from Llanfairpwll and Siôn from Cardiff. Invertigo have gained critical acclaim and awards for their varied work, including three nominations forY Tŵr (The Tower) at the 2016 Wales Theatre Awards.

Elen ap Robert, Artistic Director of Pontio said,”I’m delighted that Invertigo will be our Associate Company for the next three years. Formalising our relationship enables us to plan ideas and projects more strategically, over a longer period. It’s very exciting to be working with such an inventive young company with roots in Wales.”

Steffan Donnelly, Co-Artistic Director at Invertigo Theatre Company added, “Invertigo’s mission is to push the boundaries of what theatre can look and feel like, by experimenting with form and content. To have the freedom to develop this with the resources and support of this incredible new centre is a real joy. As a young boy I dreamed of making theatre in and for my home area, so becoming Pontio’s Associate Company for the next three years is a ‘Eureka!’ moment! We are all looking forward to creating work with Pontio to excite, refresh, and inspire local audiences.”

With support from Arts Council of Wales and and donors to Bangor University.

Publication date: 20 July 2016