About Mappa Mundi
Back in the early nineties, a theatre company was formed by a group of like-minded and spirited actors, designers and a composer, who felt there were very few opportunities for Welsh-based artists to create and perform works of classic texts.
With very little money, but with considerable ambition, a remarkable theatre company was born. Over the next decade, Mappa Mundi Theatre produced and performed over 20 productions, many of which toured throughout Wales gaining the company a reputation for presenting accessible and entertaining work.
The group has performed many classic works, sometimes with a cheeky twist, always with gusto and energy: Titus Andronicus in Kabuki style, an all male version of Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night’s Dream performed in a castle with a backdrop of fireworks, and King Lear played by a woman and the daughters played by men.
In 2006 Mappa Mundi formed a beautiful co-producing relationship with Theatr Mwldan. Mwldan took on the administration and marketing for the company’s productions, freeing the company up to do what they do best – produce brilliant, accessible and colourful theatre with widespread appeal. The company have concentrated on touring classic texts and adaptations of classic works to all parts of Wales, with performances of some of the greatest roles by a company of now familiar faces, alongside some of Wales’ newest actors. No region of Wales has been neglected and Mappa Mundi’s commitment to making live Welsh theatre available to the widest audience possible remains unrelenting. Their success within Wales has enabled the company to spread its wings, and in Autumn 2008 Mappa Mundi toured a reprise of their classic Canterbury Tales, followed by She Stoops to Conquer in 2009 which both toured to 15 venues around England and received an ecstatic response.
When Mappa Mundi began, much of the work produced was unfunded and relied on box office sales. Through much hard work and commitment the company succeeded in creating many sell-out productions to much acclaim and over the decade a strong and almost fanatical following for their worked has developed.
The company has enjoyed the support of The Arts Council of Wales for its productions including its six latest co-productions with Theatr Mwldan: Canterbury Tales (2006, 2008), Moll Flanders (2007) and The Importance Of Being Earnest (2008), She Stoops To Conquer 2009 (guest directed by Peter Doran of The Torch Theatre, Milford Haven), and their latest touring production Dangerous Liaisons which will begin a 34 date UK wide tour in April 2010.
Mappa Mundi will continue to produce classic work for Wales and beyond with the further support of funding bodies and the continued support of their appreciative audiences.
“They are a breath of fresh air and with ten productions in a couple of years they have achieved cult-status.” – The Guardian
For further details please contact info@mappa-mundi.org.uk or visit www.mappa-mundi.org.uk
