George Fisher (dramatist)
Encyclopedia
George Fisher was a Welsh language
dramatist and theatrical producer, born in Bargoed
, Glamorgan
.
As a dramatist he is best known for Y Lleoedd Pell, Y Blaidd-Ddyn and Awena, as well as for the verse drama Y Ferch a'r Dewin (1958).
Born in Bargoed, Glamorgan, Francis George Fisher was educated at Lewis' School, Pengam, and at University College, Cardiff, where he captained the University swimming team before graduating in Mathematics in 1930. For a short period he was a teacher in a missionary college on the Gold Coast in West Africa; then in 1932 a mathematics teacher at Llangefni Grammar School, latterly Llangefni County Comprehensive, becoming deputy headmaster until his sudden death.
George - he preferred his middle name - began writing in English, publishing his first novel, One Has Been Honest, at the age of 21 before his graduation. He wrote many poems and stories, published in "The Adelphi" and "The Twentieth Century" during the 1930s, before turning to drama.
His play The Disinherited was performed in Swansea's Little Theatre in July 1939.
Lieutenant Fisher served in the Navy during World War II and, while he was in Iceland, he learned Welsh from Caradar's booklet Welsh Made Easy. From that time, he was intent on writing plays in Welsh, mastering 'cynghanedd'. He wrote at least five short plays between 1945 and 1952 and three long plays: Catrin (first prize in the National Eisteddfod at Dolgellau, 1949), Y Ferch a'r Dewin (The girl and the wizard) (which shared first prize in the National Eisteddfod at Rhyl, 1953) and Merch yw Medusa (Medusa is a girl) (1951).
He also translated Andre Obey's play, Noa (1951). He produced thirty plays, twenty of these in Welsh, including all his own works and the memorably great productions of the plays of Saunders Lewis. He became a member of the Welsh Arts Council Drama Committee and was awarded the MBE for services to Welsh Theatre in 1958.
His most important contribution was arguably to ensure that Cymdeithas Ddrama Llangefni (Llangefni dramatic society) had a permanent home, with the opening of Theatr Fach in Pencraig, Llangefni on the 3 May 1955.".
'The rapid advance of Theatr Fach Llangefni to a leading role came through purposefully aiming at a higher level than just satisfying a creative urge latent in most communities'. Western Mail 20/9/1960.
He was made director of the theatre and realised his vision of an amateur theatre, regularly presenting plays of truly professional standard in Welsh and English. Theatr Fach celebrated its 50th anniversary in May 2005 and this is his monument.
FG Fisher's contribution to the theatre in Wales has been described as vital. Most surviving works and papers are retained in the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, in the archives departments in the University of Wales, Bangor and with the archivist in Llangefni. Others are sought for collection, preservation and to be made available to researchers. Can you help?"
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
dramatist and theatrical producer, born in Bargoed
Bargoed
Bargoed is a town in the Rhymney Valley, Wales, one of the South Wales Valleys. It lies on the Rhymney River in the county borough of Caerphilly and straddles ancient boundary of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire. 'Greater Bargoed', as defined by the local authority Caerphilly County Borough Council,...
, Glamorgan
Glamorgan
Glamorgan or Glamorganshire is one of the thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. It was originally an early medieval kingdom of varying boundaries known as Glywysing until taken over by the Normans as a lordship. Glamorgan is latterly represented by the three...
.
As a dramatist he is best known for Y Lleoedd Pell, Y Blaidd-Ddyn and Awena, as well as for the verse drama Y Ferch a'r Dewin (1958).
Born in Bargoed, Glamorgan, Francis George Fisher was educated at Lewis' School, Pengam, and at University College, Cardiff, where he captained the University swimming team before graduating in Mathematics in 1930. For a short period he was a teacher in a missionary college on the Gold Coast in West Africa; then in 1932 a mathematics teacher at Llangefni Grammar School, latterly Llangefni County Comprehensive, becoming deputy headmaster until his sudden death.
George - he preferred his middle name - began writing in English, publishing his first novel, One Has Been Honest, at the age of 21 before his graduation. He wrote many poems and stories, published in "The Adelphi" and "The Twentieth Century" during the 1930s, before turning to drama.
His play The Disinherited was performed in Swansea's Little Theatre in July 1939.
Lieutenant Fisher served in the Navy during World War II and, while he was in Iceland, he learned Welsh from Caradar's booklet Welsh Made Easy. From that time, he was intent on writing plays in Welsh, mastering 'cynghanedd'. He wrote at least five short plays between 1945 and 1952 and three long plays: Catrin (first prize in the National Eisteddfod at Dolgellau, 1949), Y Ferch a'r Dewin (The girl and the wizard) (which shared first prize in the National Eisteddfod at Rhyl, 1953) and Merch yw Medusa (Medusa is a girl) (1951).
He also translated Andre Obey's play, Noa (1951). He produced thirty plays, twenty of these in Welsh, including all his own works and the memorably great productions of the plays of Saunders Lewis. He became a member of the Welsh Arts Council Drama Committee and was awarded the MBE for services to Welsh Theatre in 1958.
His most important contribution was arguably to ensure that Cymdeithas Ddrama Llangefni (Llangefni dramatic society) had a permanent home, with the opening of Theatr Fach in Pencraig, Llangefni on the 3 May 1955.".
'The rapid advance of Theatr Fach Llangefni to a leading role came through purposefully aiming at a higher level than just satisfying a creative urge latent in most communities'. Western Mail 20/9/1960.
He was made director of the theatre and realised his vision of an amateur theatre, regularly presenting plays of truly professional standard in Welsh and English. Theatr Fach celebrated its 50th anniversary in May 2005 and this is his monument.
FG Fisher's contribution to the theatre in Wales has been described as vital. Most surviving works and papers are retained in the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, in the archives departments in the University of Wales, Bangor and with the archivist in Llangefni. Others are sought for collection, preservation and to be made available to researchers. Can you help?"