Bilingual storytellers announced to deliver Welsh language storytelling and night skies initiative

Cysur y Sêr (the comfort of the stars) is a Welsh-led and bilingual project that is about  developing stories in Welsh, environmental respect and leaving an impactful legacy for future generations, leading up to performances Stars and their Consolations tour across Wales in March- April 2026.

Cysur y Sêr is a Wales wide project led by storytelling production company Adverse Camber, supported by Theatrau Sir Gâr, Arts Council Wales, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Colwinston Foundation, The Darkley Trust, Literature Wales, Welsh Government, Prosiect Nos Partnership and People Speak Up.

Over the next 6 months, 10 storytellers will be working with communities across Wales, including 10 venues involved in the tour, and collaborating as a group of experienced and emerging storytellers to explore themes and ways of working together in ways which are accessible and climate conscious.

An artist call out ran over the summer for Welsh language performers, artists, musicians and storytellers to be apply to be a part of this project.

The selected artists are Rhodri Trefor and Gillian Brownson from Ynys Môn/Anglesey; Fiona Collins from Dee Valley, Chris Baglin from Clwyd, Ceri Phillips from Llandeilo, Hedydd Hughes from North Pembrokeshire; Stacey Blythe from Cardiff, and Dan Mitchell from Pontardawe.  While all are storytellers, they can also draw on skills as a group in acting, stand-up comedy and music.

They will be joined by two storytelling project leads Tamar Eluned Williams from Cardiff and Mair Tomos Ifans from Mid Wales.
Over the next few months the team will be devising a programme of activities together, following a residential training session at Tŷ Newydd led by Welsh storytellers Tamar Eluned Williams and Mair Tomos Ifans. 

The team are also excited to realise the exciting possibility of developing and discovering Welsh myths of star patterns with audiences and communities and finding out what happens when Greek myths of the stars are told in Welsh.

“The Stars project will enable lots of professional and creative development for storytellers in Wales, in particular those using Welsh in their practice. There's a growing interest in the art form, as well as in the repertoire of myths, legends, and folktales that we work with, and this project will allow us to explore and develop a new repertoire of stories in connection with the constellations and dark skies. We can also strengthen our creative networks, skill share, and continue developing a sustainable storytelling practice across Wales.” Tamar Eluned Williams lead Welsh Storyteller on Cysur y Sêr project.

Cysur y Sêr will deliver activities in communities as part of Wales Dark Skies week in February 2026. The project will also leave a lasting legacy which will housed at the People’s Collection at The National Library of Wales, which will be an audio collection of stories created by the storytellers involved in the project.

Andrew White, Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund said:
“We’re pleased to support Cysur y Sêr, a project that brings together storytelling, language and our natural heritage. By connecting communities with the night skies and Welsh myths, this initiative will preserve cultural heritage and inspire new stories for future generations. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, it’s an example of how heritage can be both rooted in tradition and forward-looking.”

Following the project, there will be an English led performance of Stars and their Consolations, which will be toured across Wales in March-April 2026.

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.

Stars and their Consolations was originally commissioned for Beyond the Border 2021 and its R&D was supported by Arts Council Wales & Tŷ Cerdd with support from Theatrau Sir Gâr.