14 NOVEMBER 1952, Page 20

Barn-Theatre

Duw a Digon was the inscription on the arch of the bell-tower adjoining the granary and leading to the barn. God and enough—an appropriate inscription, I thought. I crossed the court and entered the barn, a solid, ancient building that had housed crops from the Garthewin estate in Denbigh for decades. Rural players were rehears- ing in the barn, for it no longer houses the crop. It has been converted into a theatre by the owner, Mr. R. 0. F. Wynne, and here dramas in Welsh and English are performed by local people. When the Garthewin Company puts on a show, the barn is crowded. It is completely equipped as a theatre and adequately lit, and the work is supported by the Arts Council, as it deserves to be. I stood listening to scenes from Gan Bwyll (Slow and Sure) by the Welsh dramatist, Saunders Lewis, and enjoyed every minute. There was nothing "arty-crafty" or " folksy " about the atmosphere, and I determined to come back and see this theatre when it is filled by people from the surrounding countryside.