A play that has proved a hit across the pond will be returning to Cardiff next week as part of a double bill with its sequel.
The dark comedy Richard Parker, written by Owen Thomas, scooped Best International Show at last year's Hollywood Fringe Awards and is due to be staged in Chicago in November.
Those who didn't have a chance to catch it the first time around will be able to watch it next week at Chapter Arts Centre as a stand-alone piece or in conjunction with Robert Golding, a follow-up also penned by Thomas, which focuses on events in the life of one of the key characters in Richard Parker.
Gareth John Bale, Sara Lloyd Gregory and Alastair Sill in Robert Golding. Photo: Eminent Photography
After a short run in Cardiff, Robert Golding then travels to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival next month.
I caught up with writer Owen, who runs production company Darkman Productions with his wife Amelia, and is head of performing arts at Y Pant School.
He told me how he felt inspired to write Richard Parker after learning that it happens to be the name of several people in real life and fiction who, once shipwrecked, became cannibalised by their fellow survivors. And you may also remember that it is the name of the tiger in the film and book Life of Pi.
Owen told me: "I just found it really odd that four or five times in history this was the name that belonged to the person people decided to eat to survive when lost at sea - it's just such a strange coincidence.
"The play Richard Parker explores this theme of fate and coincidence and features two men stuck on a boat, one of whom believes in coincidences and one who doesn't.
"As time passes and the conversation develops, they soon find out they are irrevocably linked."
Sara Lloyd Gregory and Gareth John Bale. Photo: Eminent Photography
Owen says taking the play to Hollywood last year to such a warm reception was the highlight of his career.
"It was an unbelievable experience and being part of the fringe festival was just fantastic. The show just seemed to get bigger and bigger while we were there and we ended up getting reviewed by papers like LA Weekly.
"When we got nominated for the award it was a real shock - we weren't expecting it and had run out of clean clothes, so had to wash something in the sink to wear to the ceremony. Then we won so it's a good job we did wash our clothes!
"Now it's being staged in Chicago in November as part of a big-scale production which will even feature a boat, so I am really hoping to get out there and see it."
It was while they were in LA that the team came up with the idea for Robert Golding, a play that explores the world of conspiracies and dark secrets.
A married couple are celebrating on the eve of the opening of their new restaurant and welcome a guest to their table who turns their lives upside down.
It stars Sara Lloyd Gregory (Hinterland,Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Torchwood, Being Human) as well as Gareth John Bale and Alastair Sill who are also starring in Richard Parker.
Gareth John Bale, Sara Lloyd Gregory and Alastair Sill. Photo: Eminent Photography
Owen said: "A sequel seemed to naturally follow on from Richard Parker.
"We were thrilled with the feedback and reviews from audiences and theatre critics alike. Robert Golding will have that extra dimension to it – a new character in the form of Sara Lloyd Gregory.
"It is also important that the piece stands alone, with the need to have seen Richard Parker not acting as a barrier to enjoying the new play.
"I've known both Alastair and Gareth for many years. In some ways I write with them in mind and the new female character will certainly add another twist in the tale."
Both plays have been also been directed by Gareth John Bale.
He said: "I'm thrilled to be working on the sequel with Owen.
"It's going to be a challenge performing two plays in Cardiff but we've done Richard Parker so many times now it will easily come back to us and we are really excited about seeing how audiences will respond to the sequel in Cardiff, where it first started, before it goes on tour to Edinburgh."
Gareth John Bale. Photo: Eminent Photography
Both Richard Parker and Robert Golding will be performed at Chapter Arts Centre. Robert Golding will be performed on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 27 July at 8pm.
If you wanted to see Richard Parker again you can watch the show as a double bill on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 July with Richard Parker at 7pm and then Robert Golding at 9pm.
Tickets for one show are £8 or £12 for two. They are available from Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff on 029 2030 4400 or chapter.org.
