Suitcase Theatre cast of 'Offa's Dyke' hit the trail

Suitcase Theatre is a community theatre group based in Mold which welcomes participants of all ages and levels of experience.

The company formed in 2008 opening with WE'LL KEEP A WELCOME, by Michael Stevens, the company manager, this was a play about wartime evacuees who came to North Wales from Liverpool and Merseyside. 

The company has played in theatres in Mold, Wrexham, Caernarfon and Liverpool.

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The group's upcoming performance is a comedy called 'Offa's Dyke', written by Micheal Stevens, which follows a group of walkers as they complete the trail from Chepstow to Prestatyn. 

EDEN WILLIAMS of Mynydd isa plays the part of SAM. Not only has SAM never been on a walk before, she is a character who seems never to have been in the countryside at all. She can't tell a daisy from a daffodil. Some experience for her, this walk. (Image: Ian Stanley of Frodsham)

Prior to starting their rehearsals, on Sunday, September 11 a group of over 20 members of cast and crew set off from Llandegla to hit the trail of Offa’s Dyke, aiming to give them a taste of the real thing.

Mike Stevens, company manager, who has written the play said: “As the play is about a group of walkers who set off from Chepstow on the long trail to Prestatyn, it seemed to be a good idea to let the actors find out what walking the walk is really like.

"Over 20 members of the cast and production team came along with friends and families – and 3 dogs – it was a really good turn out”.

Micheal's plays for the group often focus on local and historical events, with the emphasis on large casts. 

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Some topics and events he has covered include; the Gresford pit disaster, the steel plant in Shotton and the history behind the Leeswood community hall. 

Seen here is MATTEO IAVAZZO, 12, of Prestatyn, who plays the part of HARRY on the walk with his mother, father and older brother. HARRY is energetic, mischievous and perpetually hungry. This is Matteo's first appearance with Suitcase Theatre. (Image: Ian Stanley of Frodsham)

He said: "People actually like to see local stories.

As a community theatre, it's one of our aims to write for the community and relive for the community."

Another important part of the company is to bring together a wide variety of theatre lovers. 

Seen here is the character OWEN, a shepherd in one of the scenes, played by BOB DAVEY of Mold. With him is his dog CARIAD, who also appears on stage with him. This is a first for us, having a dog on stage. (Image: Ian Stanley of Frodsham)

Mr Stevens said: "We want to bring together young people with older people as well as inexperienced actors with seasoned professionals."

The company is also interested in new writers, such as a recent play by Philippa Davies, the founder of the bereavement charity, Our Sam. 

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Philippa wrote the play Dancing in the Wings, which was about the tragedy of stillbirth and was movingly presented a couple of years ago.

The company also revive classic plays, and has mounted productions of Stoppard,
Pinter, Edward Albee, Beckett and Shakespeare [Hamlet at Theatr Clwyd 3
years ago.]

The company welcome new members, who will be required to pay a membership fee of £10 per year for adults and £2 for under 18s. 

The play is running at Theatr Clwyd from Wednesday, November 9 to Saturday November 12 with five performances. 

Tickets are priced at £12 and can be found here.