Behind the scenes of “We’Re Still Here” by the National Theatre Wales
WE’RE STILL HERE
National Theatre Wales & Common Wealth
People have forgotten how to say ‘no’. That’s the problem in this country. We are allowed to say ‘no’.
Port Talbot steelworks; site of one of the last heavy industries in Wales, and threatened with closure in 2015. The story made headlines around the world, and the Save Our Steel campaign was quick to respond, gathering a momentum that captured the spirit and uncertainty of our times. So what happens when we come together? What happens when we say ‘no’?
In Port Talbot, leaders, workers and unions all said no. These people came together to save their jobs and their community.
These are the people behind the headlines and the politics, living and working at the heart of the machine. These are their lives, hopes, fears and dreams and this is their story, told with humour, passion and pride.
Based on interviews with steelworkers, union representatives and the people of Port Talbot, We’re Still Here is a site-specific performance. Dynamically staged in the disused Byass Works, it celebrates the unique spirit of the town.

Dress rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”

Dress rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”

Steel worker and actor Sam Coombes during the dress rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”

Dress rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”

Dress rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”

Actor Jason May during the dress rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”

Dress rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”

Dress rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”

Dress rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”, a play created by Rachel Trezise, Common Wealth and the National Theatre Wales about steelworkers, which will be performed in Byass Works, a disused industrial unit, in Port Talbot, south Wales, UK.

Actor Sam Coombes during the dress rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”

Actors Jason May, Sion Tudor Owen and Simon Nehan during the dress rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”

Dress rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”

Dress rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”

Actor Sion Tudor Owen during the dress rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”

Writer Rachel Trezise (L) during the press rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”

The four main characters perform a dance scene during the press rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”

Actor Sam Coombes who plays Lewis during the press rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”

L-R: Co-director Evie Manning, artistic director Kully Thiarai, writer Rachel Trezise and co-director Rhiannon White

Actors Simon Nehan and Sion Tudor Owen during the press rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”

Actor Ioan Hefin who plays Adrian during the press rehearsal of “We’Re Still Here”

Actor Jason May

“We Are Still Here” rehearsal

Actor Ioan Hefin rehearses for “We Are Still Here”

Directors Rhiannon White and Evie Manning

Actor Sion Tudor Owen

Actors Simon Nehan

Actors Jason May, Sam Coombes, Sion Tudor Owen, Ioan Hefin and Simon Nehan
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