In Wales, we celebrate St Dwynwen's Day on 25 January every year.
Who was St Dwynwen?
Dwynwen was a Welsh princess who lived in the 4th century. She fell in love with a local boy called Maelon, but her father had already arranged for her to be married to a prince.
Under a cloud of sadness Dwynwen fled to the forest and pleaded with God to help her. She was visited by an angel who gave her a sweet potion to help her forget about her love and Maelon was turned into a column of ice.
God granted her three wishes. Her first wish was to thaw Maelon; her second was for God to help all the couples of Wales who are in love and the third was that she would never marry. Dwynwen became a nun, and in her memory, 25 January is a day for Welsh lovers to celebrate their love by giving and receiving cards and gifts.
From Dwynwen to Carys…
Wales’ contemporary goddess of love happens to be a good friend of ours…
Last year Carys Eleri adapted her popular one-woman musical comedy Lovecraft (Not the Sex Shop in Cardiff) to the Welsh language – and Cer i Grafu…sori…GARU was born. This fabulous show about the neuroscience of love and loneliness toured across Wales during the autumn of last year.
Following this tour, we’re delighted to announce that Lovecraft (Not the Sex Shop in Cardiff) will tour to London’s Soho Theatre 27 – 29 February. Before then, tune in to S4C at 9pm on 25 January to see Carys’ documentary Carys Eleri’n Caru – she’s travelled around Wales looking at the dating habits of the Welsh.
Sharing the love
Are you looking for a gift this St Dwynwen Day? We have plenty of romantic shows for you to choose from...
The Marriage of Figaro by Welsh National Opera comes to our stage in February. This classic opera about the marriage of Figaro and Susanna will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last moment, with Mozart’s sublime score bringing the action to life.
Matthew Bourne’s production of The Red Shoes is a tale of obsession, possession and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world. Set to the achingly romantic music of golden-age Hollywood composer Bernard Hermann. It comes to our Donald Gordon Theatre 31 March - 4 April.
Once The Musical arrives in May. Based on the much-loved film, Once tells the story of two lost souls – a street busker from Dublin and a Czech musician who unexpectedly find each other and fall in love.
And to draw 2020 to a close we’ll be welcoming The Phantom of the Opera in December. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s alternative love story is widely considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular productions in history.
Enjoy the celebrations!