Rhydian Gwyn Lewis wins this year’s Drama Medal.
The Drama Medal is presented for a stage play of any length. The most promising play with the most potential for further development with a professional company is awarded the Medal, presented in memory of Urien Wiliam, by his wife, Eiryth and the children, Hywel, Sioned and Steffan, and £750, donated by the Huw Roberts Memorial Fund, Pwllheli. An excerpt of the winning work will be performed during the ceremony, with the support of the JO Roberts Memorial Fund.
This year’s adjudicators were Sarah Bickerton, Betsan Llwyd and Alun Saunders, and speaking on behalf of her fellow judges, Betsan Llwyd described the winning work, Maes Gwyddno by Elffin, saying, “A pub in Grangetown in 2051, Wales is about to be swallowed by England, and a group of young people are preparing to protest. The situation draws attention and the writer’s ability to deal with it, manages to keep our attention , with tension increasing throughout.
“The details are exposed well; the dialogue flows naturally and easily, and staging wise, there is innovative use of projection. Although we were not in total agreement on the writer’s success to create unique characters and voices, he or she does have important things to say.”
Rhydian Gwyn Lewis was brought up in Caernarfon, but now lives in Cardiff. He has worked as a script editor for Pobol y Cwm for almost five years. He is very grateful for the chance to work with a wide range of writers and actors, and being part of the editorial team has taught him a lot about dramatic writing.
The Cyfansoddiadau a Beirniadaethau includes the full adjudication for this competition and the winners of all the other composition winners at this year’s Eisteddfod. The volume is published at the end of the Chairing Ceremony on Friday afternoon.
The Cardiff National Eisteddfod runs until 11 August. For more information go to www.eisteddfod.wales.