‘Borth Begins’ is a promenade theatre piece written by Mike Francis and Nick Jones, based on an original idea by Rae Cashman. The play dramatizes four important periods in the history of the village incorporating the herring trade, the village’s seafaring past and its master mariners, and the arrival of the railway and tourism. The play was performed in four locations – beginning on the beach slipway – with the cast and audience moving together between them.
The Brain y Borth (the crows of Borth) were the widows of Borth herring fisherman who had perished at sea during a time when the village relied heavily on the herring catch for its survival. These women, instantly recognisable by their black clothing, were a fiercely independent group who collected cockles or cut peat from the neighbouring bog, which they had to carry over the hills to sell in Aberystwyth.
More than 70 people were involved in the 2019 performance of the play and it was watched by over 350 spectators.
Contributor: Mike Francis
Filmmaker: Felix Cannadam