The way things are going at the Arts Council, the only place you'll soon find Welsh theatre is between hard covers. While the cowboys of Park Place seem determined to destroy the foundations of new writing theatre, Welsh publishers have finally started to recognise these achievements in print. Seren's drama imprint has led the way with smartly produced texts by Dic Edwards, Ed Thomas and Lucinda Coxon, amongst others. Parthian Books responded with three new plays by Made in Wales, including Roger Williams's marvellous Gulp.
Publishers clearly believe new work is worth celebrating.
A pity the Arts Council don't think the same way. Laurence Allan's bold, ambitious plays are an example of what is being thrown away. Born and raised in Pontypridd, Allan brings voices and views to the stage which would otherwise be ignored. Again inhabits territory which has already been busily colonised by Ed Thomas. It's the most touching and humane of the three plays, perhaps because many of its effects are understated.