Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in Manage Membership
Become a Member - no ads
Menu
  • News
    • Senedd
    • Business
    • Newport
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Obituaries
  • About
    • Advertise
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

Gwen yr Arth Wen theatre production coming to Caerphilly County Borough

News | Rhys Williams | Published: 12:27, Friday January 9th, 2026.

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Blackwood Miners' Institute could be mothballed
Blackwood Miners’ Institute

A theatre production combining puppetry and music to tell the story of an anxious polar bear will be touring south Wales in the coming months.

Gwen yr Arth Wen (Gwen the Polar Bear) is aimed at audiences aged six and older and their families, and will be performed in Welsh – but learners and non-Welsh speakers will also be able to follow the story.

The story explores themes of climate change, the importance of home, and confidence. It follows Gwen, a polar bear who wakes up on a broken icecap hundreds of miles away from her family.

On her perilous journey through the arctic sea, she will have to find her courage, as well as her way home.

The show is written by award-winning playwright Chris Harris, directed by Elan Isaac, produced by Glesni Price-Jones, and performed by Isabella Colby Browne.

The performance will be coming to Blackwood Miners’ Institute at 1pm and 3pm on Friday February 20.

It will also be performed at Caerphilly Library at 11am and 2pm on Saturday March 28, and at Hengoed Community Centre on Tuesday March 31 at 12pm and 3pm.

Announcing the show, writer Chris Harris said: “Climate change can be a frightening concept for children, who may feel helpless when faced with the headlines. Gwen yr Arth Wen emphasises the positive outcomes of its resolution if we all work together to combat it. It seems like a scary obstacle, but it can be done.”

All performances

In February half-term holiday

  • The Riverfront, Newport: Saturday February 14 – 11am and 2pm
  • Pontardawe Arts Centre: Monday February 16 -11am and 2pm
  • YMa Pontypridd: Wednesday February 18 – 11am
  • Builth Wells Library: Thursday February 19 – 12pm and 3pm
  • Blackwood Miners’ Institute: Friday February 20 – 1pm and 3pm
  • Ty Tawe, Swansea: Saturday February 21 – 12pm and 2.30pm
  • Memo Arts Centre, Barry: Wednesday February 25 – 11am and 1.45pm

In Easter end-of-term holiday

  • Caerphilly Library: Saturday March 28: 11am and 2pm
  • Chepstow Drill Hall: Sunday March 29 – 11am and 2pm
  • Theatr Soar, Merthyr Tydfil: Monday March 30 – 12pm and 2pm
  • Hengoed Community Centre: Tuesday March 31 – 12pm and 3pm
Documentary exploring valleys’ industrial heritage to be screened

Sign-up to our daily newsletter


Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.

Become a member today

Google

Latest News

  • Side by Side Choir performing
    ‘We have built a community where people feel safe to participate at their own pace’Tuesday, March 10, 2026
  • More than 700 objections to Nant y Calch housing development planTuesday, March 10, 2026
  • Artist impression of the Old Green Roundabout proposals
    Old Green Roundabout petition set for council debateMonday, March 9, 2026
  • Seren Price with some of her medals and trophies
    ‘She’s smashing it’: The young taekwondo star with a mighty medal haulMonday, March 9, 2026
  • Carol Dight, left, meeting King Charles at Windsor Castle
    Retired nurse honoured by King Charles at Windsor Castle Monday, March 9, 2026
  • Bid launched for Caerphilly to be named UK Town of Culture 2028Monday, March 9, 2026

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, March 5, 2026
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesFriday, February 6, 2026
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesFriday, January 23, 2026
  • Notice of application for a variation of a premises licence: Morgan Jones Bowling ClubThursday, January 15, 2026
© 2009-2026 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community Watford Road Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.