Urdd Gobaith Cymru
   Swyddfa’r Urdd
     Ffordd Llanbadarn
       Aberystwyth
         Ceredigion
          SY23 1EY

         Ffôn 01970 613110
      Ffacs 01970 626120
Ar y We:www.urdd.org

FOR OPENING CONCERT SELLING FAST

Tickets for the opening concert of this year’s Urdd National Eisteddfod are selling quickly. Eisteddfod organisers are urging anyone who intend going to the concert to book their tickets early in order to avoid any disappointment.

The Eisteddfod will be held in the Denbighshire town of Ruthin between 29 May and 3 June.

The opening concert, which will be held at the Eisteddfod Pavilion located on the festival maes at the grounds of Ysgol Brynhyfryd and Maes Llan farm in Ruthin, will be a tribute to local singer and composer Caryl Parry Jones who has made a major contribution to the Welsh entertainment scene over the years. It will be held on Sunday, 28 May at 7.00pm.

A star studded cast has been lined up for the concert including international tenor Rhys Meirion, popular female band, Eden, tv favourites Dewi Pws and Emyr Wyn, singer Dafydd Dafis, a choir of local schoolchildren and members of the performing schools Anterliwt, and Ysgol Glanaethwy.

Says Eisteddfod Director Siân Eirian,

“What better way to open our National Eisteddfod than this visual and musical feast from some of Wales’s most prominent talents, which include the tenor Rhys Meirion. Caryl Parry Jones’ contribution to the entertainment scene in Wales has been immense. The Urdd is proud that we’re able to stage an unique evening which will celebrate her work and creativity.”

Caryl Parry Jones, who was brought up in Ffynnongroyw between Holywell and Rhyl, will be present at the concert and is looking forward to the event.

She says,

“When I heard about the tribute concert I felt really humble and chuffed to bits to be honest. I always say that I’m so lucky to be doing what I’m doing. I’m earning my living by doing what I love best in the world. Family and friends will be at the concert and I’m sure I’ll be feeling pretty emotional.

“The Urdd Eisteddfod gives youngsters confidence, an opportunity to appreciate high standards, and to learn how to lose with dignity.”

Two other shows will be held on the Pavilion Stage during the week long Eisteddfod.

Plas Du will be presented by pupils of Denbighshire’s secondary schools. A musical, composed by Hywel Gwynfryn and Robat Arwyn, it’s located in a spooky mansion which has a sinister past. Be prepared to be scared out of your wits! Among the talented cast is an Eisteddfod veteran, Steffan Rhys Hughes from Llandyrnog who first came to prominence at the Urdd Eisteddfod and who is now a familiar face all over Wales. Plas Du will be staged on Saturday 27 May, at 7.00pm.

The county’s primary school pupils will present an exciting action packed production about the life and times of Welsh hero Owain Glyndwr. Glyndwr will be held on Tuesday, 30 May and Wednesday 31 May at 7.00pm.

Once again, early booking is advised for both musical shows.

Tickets can be booked through the Box Office, tel 0845 2571 639, or through the Urdd website on www.urdd.org. 

Additional Information:

Please contact:  Manon Wyn, Marketing and PR Officer, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Llanbadarn Rd, Aberystwyth, 01970 613115, manonwyn@urdd.org

Editor’s Note:

The Urdd National Eisteddfod is the largest 6-day youth event in Europe.
Over 40,000 young people battle it out in competitions ranging from individual recitation, singing choirs, dance, arts and crafts, composition and poetry.
It is on the Eisteddfod stage that great artists such as Bryn Terfel, Ioan Gruffudd, Cerys Matthews, Aled Jones, Shân Cothi and Daniel Evans bore their apprenticeship.
The Eisteddfod attracts over 100,000 visitors, 15,000 competitors and nearly 1 million television viewers.
The Eisteddfod has a full programme of competitions from 11 am to 5 pm daily, and evening competitions on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
2007's Eisteddfod will be held at the Three Counties Showground in Carmarthen and the 2008 Eisteddfod will be held in Conwy.

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