Admin

Swansea City Opera

Men’s Sheds Cymru

Conductor

John Beswick

Singer

Dyfed Wyn-Evans

Rhys

Robyn Lyn Evans

Ioan

Jessica Robinson

Gwen

Aled Hall

Wyn Pencarreg

Charlie

Others

Brecon Singers

Haverfordwest Operatic Society

Llysfaen Singers

Canton Chorus

Shoulder to Shoulder

Cardiff

United Kingdom

Lisvane Memorial Hall

Abertillery

Llanhilleth Miners Institute

Tramshed Cardiff

Pontypridd

YMa Pontypridd

Rhyl

Rhyl Little Theatre

Wales

Bethesda Baptist Church Neyland

Brecknock

Theatr Brycheiniog

Shoulder to Shoulder Sayers, L.

Public

Private

Samrat Sen

Approved

A 20min clip of Swansea City Opera's new opera 'Shoulder to Shoulder' based on the both moving and humourous stories of members of Men's Sheds Cymru, the organisation that helps support lonely and isolated men with friendly spaces to work and socialise together. Composed by Lenny Sayers and libretto by Brendan Wheatley it toured Wales in October 2022, supported by Arts Council Wales. 
Cast includes
Gwen - Jessica Robinson
Ioan - Robyn Lyn Evans 
Dai - Aled Hall
Rhys - Dyfed Wyn Evans
Charlie - Mark Saberton

Shoulder to Shoulder 20min clip

How do you beat loneliness? How do you learn to laugh again?

Busy young mum Gwen is at her wits end with her dad, Rhys, who’s hitting the whisky having lost his wife and son.

Bereaved and lonely, Rhys reluctantly joins his local Men’s Shed.

Experienced Shedders, Dai, Ioan and Charlie, with difficult stories of their own, show Rhys the ropes…woodworking, garden gnomes, and where the teabags live…

Our acclaimed new chamber opera, Shoulder to Shoulder, explores the issue of loneliness and isolation. Shoulder to Shoulder was developed through our partnership with the charity Men’s Sheds Cymru.

Shoulder To Shoulder is inspired by the moving, uplifting, and laugh-out stories of members of Men’s Sheds Cymru.  The charity supports isolated men by creating warm and welcoming spaces where Shedders build friendships, enjoy hobbies, and learn new skills. And drink tea.

Swansea City Opera collected Shedders’ stories of life’s ups and downs. Librettist Brendan Wheatley of Swansea City Opera created the story of a group of Shedders, and Lenny Sayers (BBC National Orchestra of Wales) set the story to music.  The result is a new opera – Shoulder to Shoulder.

Shoulder to Shoulder is a powerful, uplifting exploration and often funny story of men overcoming isolation through their friendships made in their local Shed.

And a garden gnome becomes part of the story…

English

Shoulder to Shoulder by Sayers, L., From (2023/2023), Conductor John Beswick, Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecknock, United Kingdom

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Ensemble

Co-Producer

Program, About & Synopsis

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