Theatr Weston , Theatr Clwyd, Yr Wyddgrug/Mold – until Saturday 22nd November 2025
Reviewed by Julie Noller
4****
Having grown up not far away from Theatr Clwyd it must be something of a home coming for Chris Ashworth-Bennion and a never too late moment for this critic turned playwright. Having visited Ruthin Gaol he stumbled upon the story of John Jones better known apparently as Coch Bach y Bala; a story lost in folklore. Like Chris I too hadn’t heard of the Welsh Houdini. My top tip is to take your seat early and if you feel like mingling with the cast then grab a token from the bar outside, you will be able to exchange it for a drink at the bar on set.
Speaking of the set it’s a full hat’s off to set designer Mark Bailey from the first instant aroma of stale beer you are transported into the early 20th Century with local village/local people vibes full of laughter and sing-songs with plenty of national pride.
So was this Welsh anti-hero worshipped in the decades after his demise due to War fever taking effect and a belief in survival against the odds, the poor bad guy come good, Robin Hood attitude of peasant poacher helping those less fortunate fight against the landowners who aspire to an old world order?
The cast is outstanding especially Simon Holland Roberts (John Jones) the red welsh baritone who’s projections across the stage were mesmerising; each line delivered was totally believable as a lost welsh prince who could summon birds to sing on command. I could not say if it is that belief I would give an award or for the simple flick of an eye towards the audience in perfect comic timing much as Baldrick did in Blackadder perhaps it’s an award for hide and seek champion for just how did he just appear? The supporting cast for Simon truly is the star, slotted in well bolstering the story and allowing the little red head of Bala to shine.
Sion Pritchard (Julian Lewis Jones) Heledd (Maxine Evans) Tomos (Geraint de Cavalho) are a family at odds with each other, small holding farmers, publicans but a teenage son wanting more leaving you fearing for the First World War as it looms ever closer. Local Landowners never having lived in England despite the clipped tones perhaps suggesting otherwise Jones-Batman family Herbert (Wyn Bowen Harries) Children; Reginald (Qasim Mahmood) struggling to find his respect locally, Beatrice (Mia Khan) seeking change feeling no richer than the families looking for their next meal, perhaps nodding towards the suffragette movement unfolding nationally, Francis (Geraint de Carvalho) a character who demands respect without earning it, a character with little understanding of people.
Alongside tales of daring escapes, survival, joy of believing in the super powers of man there is love and passion a Father’s love and willingness to sacrifice his own life for his son to live and love John Jones Jnr (Theo Woolford) worships his Father, yet loves young Beatrice as much as Heledd adores John Jones Snr with an air of lost love that remains always. Constable Eifion Winstanley (Rhys ap Trefor) is a comic character perhaps under the control of the gentry, inept of solving any crimes because there are no real crimes. His change of personality towards the end comes in total contrast and is unexpected.
I can not write this review without mentioning the Badger, its use is pure comic genius, allowing Sion to shine, showing the humanity in John Jones plus an added pure magical Voldemort moment; Mr Badgers sad demise allows for John Jones to reappear totally unexpectedly in a messiah stance lit up in the moonlight; I almost expected a voice off stage to utter ‘he’s a very naughty boy’ in a nod to Monty Python.