Cipio’r Castell: Brwydr Slam project at Caerphilly Castle

This activity supported community and educational engagement around Theatr Geneddlaethol Cymru’s production of Macbeth. Theatr Geneddlaethol Cymru’s production of Macbeth that took place at Caerphilly Castle and transmitted across Wales.

Based on the highly successful ‘Slam Cymru’ project, Literature Wales, in partnership with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, Cadw and Caerphilly Council, invited three local schools to battle it out in Caerphilly Castle with Macbeth-themed poetry. Slam poetry teams were set up in three Welsh-medium secondary schools in south-east Wales. Anni Llŷn, Bardd Plant Cymru led Ysgol Gartholwg, Chaired poet Aneirin Karadog  led Ysgol Cwm Rhymni while Eisteddfod yr Urdd’s Chaired poet, Gwynfor Dafydd led Ysgol Gwynllyw.

The poets visited the schools to lead workshops inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth which was being staged in Welsh by Theatr Genedlaethol at Caerphilly Castle between 7–18 Febuary 2017. During the workshops the pupils wrote and learnt to perform original Slam poetry and through this learnt new writing and communication skills. They also explored how William Shakespeare and Welsh poets from the same period wrote and performed.

The climax of the project was the Cipio’r Castell: Brwydr Slam showcase event held on Friday 10 March, where the schools went head to head against each other. The question was, who will take the castle?  In the end it turned out to be Ysgol Cwm Rhymni.