Capturing the stories of the stars Classic Greek myths retold in new stage tour across Wales

Produced by Adverse Camber Productions, Stars and their Consolations will share well known Greek myths of the stars illuminated by an electro-acoustic soundtrack created by award winning Welsh composer Sarah Lianne Lewis.

In 2022, Adverse Camber worked with Daniel Morden, Hugh Lupton and Welsh composer Sarah Lianne Lewis and a creative team to develop Stars and their Consolations, following its premiere performance in west Wales at Beyond the Border Storytelling Festival 2021. 

This enhanced version for theatres and rural touring is a majestic, intimate and hypnotic re-imagining, weaving ancient stories, with beautiful projected animations of the night sky on stage, and Sarah Lianne Lewis’s spine-tingling electro-acoustic soundscape. 

Stars and their Consolations is an extraordinary and accessible way to experience stories that have been shared around fires for thousands of years.

“Stars and their Consolations is a way of restoring the night sky. Ever since humanity has existed, we have used stories to understand our experiences. When we listen to these myths we are connecting with our ancestors. It is as if a hand has reached out from the past and taken our own, and we feel less alone.” Daniel Morden, storyteller and co-creator of Stars and their Consolations. 

The two hour show dives into an enthralling and truly magical adventure. Witness the gods playing mercilessly with mortals with stories of lust, pride and passion that will leave audiences with a hunger to discover more. Listen to well known constellations and star clusters such as Orion, Pegasus, the Pleiades, Sirius and the Milky Way itself.

The epic sweep of the night sky brings a cosmic, eternal perspective to human troubles, offering much needed consolation for our times.

“Stories shared together help to bring people together  We all live under the same sky, though it can look very different depending on where you are standing.  Star-related stories help us to remember constellation patterns, which can help us to find our way, and mark our seasonal changes. They can also send us warnings, like the risks to our health and ecology from light pollution. Through sharing stories we get reminded of the immense value of the night sky and why we need to ensure future generations can keep enjoying its beauty and power!”   Naomi Wilds, Producer at Adverse Camber. 

Leading up to the performance in Spring, Adverse Camber supported by Prosiect Nos Partnership, Theatrau Sir Gâr, Arts Council Wales, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Colwinston Foundation, The Darkley Trust, Welsh Government, Literature Wales and People Speak Up will be running a 6 month project working with 10 bilingual storytellers across Wales in the Cysur y Sêr project.

Cysur y Sêr (the comfort of the stars) is a Welsh-led and bilingual project that is about  developing stories in Welsh, highlighting the environmental impacts light pollution and climate change are having in Wales, and leaving an impactful storytelling legacy for future generations. The 10 bilingual storytellers will be working with communities near venues over the next 6 months leading up to Dark Skies Week in February 2026 and connecting with the tour in March and April 2026.  

While Stars and Consolations looks at Greek myths, Wales has some of the best protected night skies in the world. This production allows audiences to rethink about stories of the night sky in Wales. 

“The Welsh landscape used to be populated with stories. So many Welsh place names come from stories, many of which have been forgotten. The same is true of the heavens. If STARS helps make night sky magical and precious again, perhaps we will do more to protect.” Daniel Morden. 

“Rural and coastal people in Wales in past centuries knew so much about constellations, and interest in Dark Sky watching across Wales is really growing right now.  Sadly we suspect we’ve lost a lot of the stories people might have told about the stars in the past, but Cysur y Sêr might uncover stories people remember hearing, which is very exciting. These projects mean many more people will get to hear and retell these stories, which helps pass this really important knowledge forward to the future.”
Dani Robertson, Dark Sky Officer for the Prosiect Nos Partnership.

Stars and their Consolations will be touring to:
Ffwrnes – Stiwdio Stepni, Llanelli, – 21 March*
Torch Theatre, Milford Haven – 24 March*
The Riverfront, Newport – 25 March
Borough Theatre, Abergavenny – 26 March
Henbant Permaculture Farm – 28 March 
Llangoed Village Hall - 29 March
Theatr Clwyd, Mold - 30 March*
Aberystwyth Arts Centre - 31 March*
Pontardawe Arts Centre – 1 April
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff - 2 April*

*BSL performances. BSL interpreted by Cathryn McShane.
 
Further details about the project and tour, can be found at adversecamber.org
Supported by Theatrau Sir Gâr, Arts Council Wales, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Colwinston Foundation, The Darkley Trust, Welsh Government, Literature Wales, Prosiect Nos Partnership and People Speak Up.