This week (Wednesday, 1 June), it was announced that Osian Wynn Davies from Llanfairpwll, Anglesey is the winner of the 2022 Denbighshire Urdd Eisteddfod Drama Medal.
This year the competitors were required to write a play or monologue suitable for performance for any medium for no more than two actors, and no longer than 15 minutes. According to the judges, Llinos Geraint and Siân Naiomi, 12 short plays were received and the competition standard “makes it clear that the future of playwriting in Wales is secure.”
Originally from Llanfairpwll, Anglesey, Osian has lived in Cardiff since moving to the capital to study Welsh (BA) at Cardiff University’s School of Welsh. He graduated in 2019 and works as a translator for Cardiff Met University. He enjoys football and is a keen fan of Cardiff City and the Wales national team.
This was his first attempt at script writing and the first time he has entered the playwright competition, and his winning drama and the adjudication will be available to read on the Urdd Eisteddfod website from Friday afternoon, June 3 onwards. Osian will spend a year as Young Resident Playwright at Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru. As well as being mentored by the team at Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, he will also get the opportunity to be mentored by the Drama Commissioner at S4C and work with some of their latest script writers.
“Many of the plays were fresh, original, captivating, and poignant. We would have been more than happy to award the prize to all three plays that came out on top,” said Llinos Geraint in her adjudication. “The winning play ‘Un Bach Arall’ sees two friends in their teens having a chat over a pint. The humour and leg-pulling clicks from the very beginning and the dialog flows with ease. The subtext speaks volumes of the internal struggle of one of the characters and his fate is a mighty blow. This is a play that skilfully deals with young men’s mental health, and the importance of talking openly. The work is fresh and energetic.”
Osian received a special medal created by jeweller Rhiannon from Tregaron. Second in the competition was Erin Hughes from the Llŷn Peninsula, and Lois Medi Wiliam from Caernarfon in third place. Erin won the 2018 Urdd Eisteddfod Crown, but due to illness was unable to attend the ceremony. As a result, the Urdd took the opportunity to honour her today in person as Chief Prose Writer of the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Brecon and Radnorshire 2018.
The award is sponsored by local paper Y Bedol, and the ceremony sponsored by Denbigh Town Council. The top three will be invited to take part in a course at Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre in memory of Olwen Dafydd. This is made possible through the Olwen Griffith Trust.
