On September 3, 2016, a group of members attended the matinee of “The Good Earth” at the Flea Theater in New York City. It was presented by Motherlode Theater, based in the Rhondda Valley, Directed by Rachael Boulton and Music Direction by Max Mackintosh.
“A wonderfully acted new play by the Welsh company Motherlode, whose gorgeous, often solemn a cappella soundscape — sometimes floating beneath spoken dialogue, sometimes sung between scenes — breathes the villagers’ very heritage into the air.”
— The New York Times
It was co-produced with RCT Theatres, in association with Wales' Millennium Centre and Arts Council Wales. It told the story of a Welsh valley family who were asked to leave their home along with all the other members of the village, in case the mountain “moved". It was 7 years after the Aberfan disaster when the slag heap of coal shifted and slid down on top of a school and buried and killed 144 people, including many children. After the play ended we got to meet the 5 member Welsh cast.
Following the play we drive over to Astoria in Queens for dinner at the Snowdonia Pub. Their website says:
Snowdonia (in Welsh, Eryri) is a mountainous region in Northern Wales. Named after this beautiful area, we are an authentic gastropub in the Welsh tradition of the “local” that fuses inventive cuisine and quality regional craft beers. Snowdonia prides itself on using only the freshest ingredients, local purveyors of the highest quality foods, and an outstanding selection of bourbon, wine, craft cocktails, and over thirty craft beers. Mwynhau eich hun! (enjoy yourself!) (snowdoniapub.com)
We feasted on Fish & Chips (which Don Sit said was the best he’s ever had here), Bangers and Mash, a slate platter of charcuterie meats and cheeses, Welsh Rarebit, Shepherd’s pie, Welsh cider, Welsh Penderyn whisky for some. it was aw wonderful day of camaraderie and Welsh Hiraeth.
