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Drama Association of Wales History

Use the links below to choose the history of the area of DAW activity you’re interested in: 

• Wales One-Act Play Final Festivals - History or List of past winners
• British One-Act Play Final Festivals - History or List of past winners
• DAW Summer Schools - History
  

  We know we have a lot of gaps in our history, and in our photoalbum pages. 
  
  In some cases, this is because we haven't input yet everything we have:  we're working on it as fast as we can.
  
  But if you have information or photos that can help us build our archive,  we'd really like to hear from you.

We are also collating Photoalbums for all the areas above. 

 

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Key points in the history of DAW

DAW founded in 1934: Starts to run a small specialist drama library, lighting equipment and drape hire service.

1965: DAW launches one act playwriting competition – the four winning plays are chosen to perform at the DAW official launch at the Coliseum, Trecynon.  The authors include Grafton Radcliffe, J.R. Evans and T.C. Thomas. The event was also publicised on BBC Radio.

1969: DAW hosts the British Final for the first time.

1970s:  DAW starts to run training courses, a youth drama programme and continues its one act play festival.

June 27th 1970: DAW hosts the British Final for the second time, this year in Cardiff at the New Theatre.

1971: DAW joins forces with the British Drama League and the Scottish Community Drama Association to form the UK Centre of the International Theatre Exchange.

January – March 1973: DAW moves from Cathedral Road to Chapter Arts Centre, Canton and becomes a registered charity.

1973: DAW member group Bridgend Castle Players are chosen to perform at the Opera House in Monte Carlo representing the UK at the fifth Congress of I.A.T.A. festival.

Spring 1990: The library is re-named the Eynon Evans Library DAWN article

January 1991 – March 1992: DAW acquires the playsets of the British Theatre Association. Western Mail article 28/2/1991

August 1992: Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins becomes the Association's newest patron, attending the opening of DAW’s new premises… in Splott. He even autographs the wall!   

1994: DAW celebrates its diamond jubilee.

1994 – 1997: A joint venutre between DAW, HTV and the Sherman Theatre produce the successful series of HTV Lunchtime Plays, which includes the writing talents of Arnold Wesker, Helen Griffin and Lisa Hunt.

April 1999: Another partnership is set up this time with Tŷ Newydd to host a residential workshop tutored by writer Alan Osborne. DAWN article

May 2003: DAW & ITE invite Art 3 a theatre group from South Korea to perform throughout Wales. DAWN article

October 2008: DAW organise the Shakespeare Today masterclass led by Michael Bogdanov.  DAWN article

October 2009:  DAW welcomes new Patron, Connie Fisher.  DAWN article