OUTDOOR concerts and family fun days at Mold's Theatr Clwyd are to be part of a trial to inform future return of outdoor performances in Wales.

A limited number of small scale outdoor performances and sporting events are set to be trialled in Wales in an effort to begin a phased approach to the safe reopening of the events industry.

These and other changes to coronavirus regulations are being announced by First Minister Mark Drakeford at the Welsh Government media briefing on Friday (August 21).

The outdoor events include Welsh Triathlon’s planned ‘Return to Racing’ competition at Pembrey Country Park, which will be a closed venue and without spectators, and a car rally at Anglesey Circuit/Trac Mon Race track.

And in Flintshire, Theatr Clwyd has proposed for a number of live outdoor performances from August 27.

Theatr Clwyd has added several outdoor performances to its schedule.

The first, on August 27, is a bring your own chair concert by Mared, a singer-songwriter originally from Llannefydd.

Her music is influenced by folk, soul and pop.

Mared was performing on the West End in the Les Misérables cast up until theatres had to come to a halt in March. She’s been recording and writing at home in Wales since the lockdown.

The Theatr Clwyd website says: "This is a ‘bring your own chair’ event – we don’t have any seating available for our outdoor performances, so please bring along a camping chair if you have one. Other seating options are allowed: rugs, blankets, mats, stools, thrones, sofas (it’s probably best sticking to the most portable option though)."

The following night, there will be An Evening with Tayo.

Tayo showcases his baritone voice in a wide-ranging programme, from folk songs to jazz and opera.

He previously brought two plays to Theatr Clwyd, each of which featured characters who were singers: the great African-American activist Paul Robeson, and Britain’s first Black judge, Nigerian Tunji Sowande.

The venue in Mold is also holding Family Fun Days on August 29 and 30.

"Join us for some fun in the sun," the website says.

All events at Theatr Clwyd will adhere to Welsh Government guidelines and need to be booked in the usual manner.

Outdoor events are being prioritised in this review period, while the weather is mild, due to evidence of lower transmission of coronavirus outdoors.

If these small events can be carried out safely, and transmission of the virus remains low, it is hoped the next stage will be increased numbers of participants, allowing a limited number of spectators to attend sporting events and potentially considering trialling small scale business events.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “While coronavirus remains effectively suppressed in Wales and cases continue to fall, the situation in the rest of the UK and further afield is still problematic. Coronavirus has not gone away and so, as we move out of lockdown and look to the future, it is important we do this in a careful and cautious way.

“We appreciate how hard it has been for families not seeing their loved ones and the impact restrictions on visiting care homes is having on people’s emotional, mental and even physical health."