Drama Association of Wales History
Use the links below to choose the history of the area of DAW activity you’re interested in:
- Wales One-Act Play Final Festivals - History or List of past winners
- British One-Act Play Final Festivals - History or List of past winners
- DAW Summer Schools - History
- Miscellaneous - History
We know we have a lot of gaps in our history, and in our photoalbum pages.
In some cases, this is because we haven't input yet everything we have: we're working on it as fast as we can.
But if you have information or photos that can help us build our archive, we'd really like to hear from you.
We are also collating Photoalbums for all the areas above.
Key points in the history of DAW
1965: DAW launches one act playwriting competition – the four winning plays are chosen to perform at the DAW official launch at the Coliseum, Trecynon. The authors include Grafton Radcliffe, J.R. Evans and T.C. Thomas. The event was also publicised on BBC Radio.
1969: DAW hosts the British Final for the first time.
1970s: DAW starts to run training courses, a youth drama programme and continues its one act play festival.
1971: DAW joins forces with the British Drama League and the Scottish Community Drama Association to form the UK Centre of the International Theatre Exchange.
January – March 1973: DAW moves from Cathedral Road to Chapter Arts Centre,
1973: DAW member group Bridgend Castle Players are chosen to perform at the Opera House in
April 1991 – March 1992: DAW acquires the playsets of the British Theatre Association.
May 1992: Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins becomes the Association's newest patron, attending the opening of DAW’s new premises… in Splott. He even autographs the wall!
1994: DAW celebrates its diamond jubilee.
