With the former mining communities of the Welsh Valleys at the heart of the story, Welsh National Opera’s latest production, Blaze Of Glory!, is a tale of determination, solidarity and friendship. What’s On recently caught up with the show’s director, Caroline Clegg, to find out more...

Welsh National Opera (WNO) this spring premieres a new work created and set in South Wales. Telling the tale of a male voice choir’s determination to succeed against the odds, Blaze Of Glory! pays tribute to the musical traditions and close-knit neighbourhoods of the Valleys.

Written by Emma Jenkins and directed by Caroline Clegg, the same team who created WNO’s Rhondda Rips It Up!, this new production turns the spotlight firmly on the region’s former mining communities.

“We wanted to look at the Welsh mining community and the tradition of the male voice choir,” says Caroline, “and not just from the men’s perspective but from the whole community’s point of view.  

“It’s set post-war, in 1957, when male voice choirs played a major part in mining communities. Our story begins after a tragic mining disaster. Some of the choir members were lost and the choir has been disbanded; there’s rumour of pits closing and morale is at an all-time low.”

With the encouragement of pianist Miss Nerys Price, miner Dafydd Pugh is persuaded to take up his baton once again and convince the old guard committee to form a Glee choir. Auditions take place, a kidnapping escapade is planned, and the men set their sights on competing once again at the local and national Eisteddfods. 

Blaze Of Glory! explores not only the role of the choirs in their towns and villages but also the changes taking place at the time.

“The hierarchy in the colliery, the patriarchy in the community and the established traditions of their beloved choirs were all important,” says Caroline. “The choirs offered a source of pride and ownership of a rich cultural history, and any rule changes were considered tampering with the way things had always been done. So it is with great trepidation that the committee is approached.

“And then there are the fun and formidable women, subtly encouraging the way forward as only women knew how to at that time!”

Emma undertook extensive research for the piece, and most characters are based on real people and real stories. Caroline spent time interviewing miners and visiting former mining communities. Her travels also took her to, amongst other venues, the Big Pit National Coal Museum in Blaenavon and The Rhondda Heritage Park. 

“Blaze is a celebration of song and the highs and lows of community life. It’s an inspiring look at the antics of an intrepid bunch of men who are willing to go the extra mile to win, despite the harsh life they faced. 

“Mining communities experienced disasters and lived with life-and-death work every day, but they rarely talked about it. Blaze pays tribute to those communities with a gentle nostalgia and with tongue firmly in cheek!” 

The creative team were also keen to involve today’s male voice choirs, so at each performance the WNO chorus is joined by local choristers, with the City of Birmingham Male Voice Choir singing at Birmingham Hippodrome.

“Having the choirs involved was paramount. From day one we said the production had to involve members of the community as an integral part of the production because it’s their story.

“The choirs welcome the audience in the foyer and sing with the WNO chorus, so the audiences will experience a great swell of sound. It’s been three years since many choirs have been able to come together. Having so many join us is a real honour and an experience the WNO cast are really looking forward to. I hope the audiences will enjoy feeling they are a part of the show and share in the thrill of song.”

The City of Birmingham Male Voice Choir brings together members of the Birmingham Icknield Male Voice Choir and Birmingham Canoldir Male Choir. With choristers ranging from university students to individuals in their 90s, the group is looking forward to being part of the show.

“Blaze Of Glory! is an ideal opportunity to sing with some of the best professionals in the land,” says John Warr, chair of Birmingham Icknield Male Voice Choir. “We hope that the additional publicity will enable us to increase our membership and spread the enjoyment of male voice singing. Our participation in this show can only enhance the tradition and hopefully show the public how much fun it can be. 

“The prospect of singing in a major theatre with a leading musical company can only be an experience that few choristers will be able to have.”

Although the show is firmly set in Wales, Caroline says the love of community singing and its universal themes means Blaze Of Glory! will resonate for audiences elsewhere. 

“In the last 10 years there has been a huge growth of community choirs, both big and small, connecting people and bringing a sense of wellbeing. It was inspiring to see that during the pandemic so many musical directors kept choirs together by creating ingenious ways online to meet, and then later meeting in the rain in the middle of fields and car parks. 

“Singing together brings out the indomitable spirit in all of us, and post-lockdown it will go from strength to strength. We need to feel connected to each other more than ever as technology takes over.

“I would urge non-opera-goers and opera-goers alike to give Blaze a go. Blaze Of Glory! is a little bit of a hybrid, and if you have never been to an opera, then this is for you! The music is a delightful mix, with influences from the big band swing era, lindy hopping, gospel, and glorious traditional Welsh hymns like Canon Lán and Llanfair. You will definitely go home with a song in your heart.

“The heart and soul of this piece is community, solidarity and friendship. It’s a real feelgood show, and that is definitely something to celebrate post-lockdown, whatever your background.”

by Diane Parkes