Nicola Walker in The Corn Is Green
(Picture: Johan Persson)Emlyn Williams’ semi-autobiographical drama hasn’t been seen in London since 1985. The play follows Morgan Evans, a young Welsh miner with hidden academic talents. He finds himself being moulded into Oxford material by indomitable teacher Miss Moffat, who has barrelled into the rural Welsh community determined to educate illiterate children. Having lain dormant for so long, you’d be forgiven for assuming this play doesn’t speak much to present times. But Dominic Cooke’s production breathes new life into a dusty text.
We open at a glittering 1920s party, out of which Williams himself (portrayed playfully by Gareth David-Lloyd) steps to reflect on his past. This is a creative – and handy – framing device that helps iron out some of the problems of the play. Williams acts as a kind of puppet-master, conjuring the setting onto a blank stage before our eyes; characters are placed, stage directions are decided, and slowly the production comes to life around him. Making it a recollection exercise for Williams reminds us that this story, or at least part of it, is true – he did himself move on from the Welsh valleys to find success as an actor and writer, thanks in part to an inspirational teacher in his life.
