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We are delighted to announce that, following on from the sell-out success of ‘The Revlon Girl’ across Wales last year, Pontardawe Arts Centre has been awarded a grant from The Arts Council of Wales to take this critically acclaimed production, written by Neil Anthony Docking and directed by Maxine Evans, to the Edinburgh Festival this August.

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Having experienced the huge impact made by The Revlon Girl on its recent Welsh tour the entire team at Pontardawe Arts Centre are delighted that the Arts Council have selected the play to represent Wales in Edinburgh this year. We are equally excited that we have enabled the play to be viewed on an international stage: what better way to promote Wales abroad than through its creative artists Angie Dickinson (Artistic Director Pontardawe Arts Centre)

Set eight months following the death of 116 children during the Aberfan Disaster of 1966, The Revlon Girl tells the real life story of a group of bereaved mothers who met every week above a local hotel to talk, cry and even laugh without feeling guilty. At one of their meetings, the women looked at each other and admitted how much they felt theyd let themselves go. So afraid that people would think them frivolous, they secretly arranged for a representative from Revlon to come and give them a talk on beauty tips.

We are absolutely thrilled with the backing from the Arts Council Wales and with the chance to work with everyone from Pontardawe Arts again. Its such a difficult but important subject and a story we think is worth telling beyond the borders of Wales. If the reaction in Edinburgh is half of what it was in Wales last year its going to be really something. Obviously there are 1000s of shows playing at Edinburgh but we think this one has the potential to really stand out. The backing weve had gives us a real head-start. Its a difficult subject and a terrible episode in Waless history, but its also a compelling human story told in a unique way. As anyone who saw it last year will know, its a story that is about overwhelming loss but its also a story of amazing courage, hope and humour. I think itll surprise Edinburgh audiences- wherever they come from in the world. Maxine Evans (Director)

The show will open at The Assembly Roxy and run throughout the Festival from 2nd-28th August 2017.

The Edinburgh Festival is where people from all over the world come to see new work - not just audiences but promoters and producers and venues- and this is definitely a chance for us to take The Revlon Girl world-wide. Having the backing of Arts Council Wales and Pontardawe Arts is just fantastic! We were overwhelmed by the reaction from audiences in Wales last year and thought that it was as good as it was going to get. Were hugely excited by this. Who knows what might happen. Maybe a small play from Wales could turn out to be the big hit in Edinburgh! Neil Anthony Docking (Writer)

Special Preview shows will be held at Pontardawe Arts Centre on Thursday 27th, Friday 28th and Saturday 29th July. If you havent already seen it but even if you have its a chance to come along and show your support before this outstanding production heads to Edinburgh.

Audience Responses

I feel I have just been so privileged to experience this fantastic, heart breaking, and funny play. It hit you in your heart, brilliant isnt a strong enough word but this play will live with me forever Sarah Young

OMG amazing, moving, emotional, funny and very real relatable characters. Im rarely moved to tears but I most definitely was watching this cannot recommend this enough Ceri Beckett

Absolutely brilliant!!! I cried almost the ugly cry too! I burst out laughing. Perfectly written, directed and the acting was sublime. To think that a man wrote this play showing the rawness of what a mother goes through ..You will stand, cheer and applaud just like we did tonight Dawn Evans

A truly phenomenal performance. Moving, poignant, funny, touching. Incredible. Thank you Jennifer Eve

What an amazing production. The Revlon Girl had me laughing one moment, then in tears at the next. Highly recommend it. A stunning show about a heart breaking event in Welsh history. Rachel John

Beautifully written, researched and performed. Fantastic characters. Sad yet so funny. Loved it. Well done everyone an emotional rollercoaster, take a hankie Tony Gallivan

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