First ever National Theatre Wales production to open at Blackwood Miners' Institute

The new and highly anticipated National Theatre Wales announced their first year programme of work today with a global webcast.

Blackwood Miners' Institute is to present the opening nights of the company's first ever production in March 2010, A Good Night Out in the Valleys. The company will also spend February based in the building rehearsing the play.

"We are thrilled to play such a prominent role in the National Theatre's first year of work and we look forward to Blackwood Miners becoming their home for a month this Spring," Ceri Puckett, Marketing Manager, Blackwood Miners' Institute.

Director John E McGrath and Writer Alan Harris have spent a month in the Miners' and Workmen's Institutes of South Wales asking people for their Valleys stories in a series of workshops and conversations. Local people will help choose the story that Alan will use as the basis for his new play. After listening to hundreds, we transform the best into a beautiful, outrageous night of theatre.

Like the National Theatre of Scotland, NTW does not have its own performing house so the company will take productions to existing theatres as well as work at site specific locations.

There will be 12 productions during the launch year, which runs from March 2010 to Spring 2011. And they will be staged throughout Wales. Visit the National Theatre of Wales website to view the entire first year's programme.