Pit blast inspires 'docu-ballet'

Cast members say the ballet is "very moving"

A 19th Century colliery explosion which killed nine men has inspired a ballet.

Young dancers from The Ballet Pod, based at Chirk, near Wrexham, will tell the story of the 1880 disaster at Bersham Colliery, which closed in 1986.

The 31-minute production, The Ballad of Edward Owen, Miner, was named after one of the blast's victims.

The "docu-ballet" forms part of a show which will be performed at venues in north and west Wales between January and April.

The Ballet Pod was founded by former Royal Ballet dancer Richard Slaughter, who also directs the group, and he was inspired to write the dance piece after reading a headstone while on a visit to St Mary's church in Chirk.

The epitaph read: "In perfect health he left his home; Not thinking that his time had come; In a few hours his race was run; Weep not dear friends - God's will be done."

Research revealed that the message related to a victim of the 1880 disaster which killed four firemen and five other pit workers.

It's all about coal mining of that period, and the very hard lives that people had to live - the constant fear of losing a family member Richard Slaughter, The Ballet Pod

Mr Slaughter and his ballet dancers then visited Bersham, the Bersham Heritage Centre and Wrexham Museum to research more about the tragedy and view old pictures and records.

He said: "It's like a 'docu-ballet'.

"It's all about coal mining of that period, and the very hard lives that people had to live - the constant fear of losing a family member.

"We've put together hymns as well as popular music from the 1880s to create this very emotional sound picture, which is reflected in the dance movements. The result is very moving."

Dancer Michael Wall, 16, who plays Edward Owen and also wrote the music, said: "It has been interesting historically - researching and finding out about the background to the story.

"We went to the colliery and saw lots of documents we ended up using when we were working out the dances.

Dancers visited Bersham and local museums to research their roles

"It's also quite an emotional role. It's been interesting putting expression into these historical events."

Anne Wall, 13, plays the unusual role of a canary bird - which were taken down the mine to check for toxic fumes.

She said: "You have to be able to change your mood quite a lot, and there's a lot different dances, some of them very sad."

The ballet is one of several included in a performance which will tour four Welsh venues between January and April 2009.

In its heyday in the early 20th Century, Bersham Colliery Company Ltd employed more than 800 men.

By 1971, it was still employing 770 miners and producing 1,110 tonnes every day from the Ruabon Yard and Queens seams.

However, in 1986 - then the last working colliery in the Denbighshire Coalfield - it closed with the loss of 480 jobs.

In July 2008, Wrexham councillors rejected proposals to remove six million tonnes of waste from the former mine, which still forms a local landmark.

At the time, Welsh historic monuments agency Cadw said the tip was a historical feature which should be preserved.

The Ballet Pod will perform at William Aston Hall, Wrexham on 17 January; Theatr Colwyn, Colwyn Bay on 7 February; The Town Hall, Llangollen on 14 February and the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven on 11 April.