GRAV
Presented by: Fringe Management LLC and Joanne Hartstone and Bale & Thomas
Feb 13 - March 17
Ruby’s at Holden Street
Origin: UK • South Australian Premier
Known to millions for his legendary exploits on the rugby field, Ray Gravell was and is so much more than that. An actor, a cultural icon, a father, a husband, "Grav" was a man with a life packed full of stories that deserve to be heard. Acclaimed Welsh actor Gareth J Bale performs the role of ‘Grav’ in this powerful and passionate play written by award winning Welsh playwright Owen Thomas which will entertain fans of rugby and outstanding theatre alike. "Grav" was also adapted into a feature film in 2021 and won the Welsh BAFTA for Feature/Television Film Award in 2022.
★★★★★ "A perfect script with a perfect actor. Every eye will shed a tear in this theatrical tour de force." BritishTheatre.com
★★★★★ "An unashamed crowdpleaser - robust and charming entertainment.” British Theatre Guide
WINNER ADELAIDE FRINGE AWARD BEST THEATRE (Wk1)
WINNER CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD (Wk1)
★★★★★ “As Grav, Bale is magnificent! He scores goals all over the place with his so real portrayal.” - Brian Godfrey - Glam Adelaide
★★★★★ “Grav’s dad once told him “It’s always best to do your best”. This may well be one of the best shows of the 2024 Fringe. A real gem. Don’t let the subject matter put you off, and above all, don’t miss it.” - Geoff Jenke - HiFi Way
★★★★★ “You don’t have to know about rugby to enjoy Grav. But if you do, this one-hander, performed memorably by Gareth J Bale, really kicks it out of the park.” - Murray Bramwell - InReview
★★★★★“Pitch perfect!” - Adrian Miller - Clothesline Review
★★★★★ “This is a finely polished international gem of a theatre work, brought to life by a true believer and fine actor, Welshman Gareth J Bale.” - Tim Lloyd -The Advertiser
“This exquisitely observed text is breathed into life by Gareth John Bale. It is a loving, lyrical lament, and the finest example of its type I’ve ever experienced.” - Ewart Shaw - Broadway World
Ruby’s at Holden Street Theatres
Holden Street Theatres, 32-34 Holden Street, Hindmarsh, Kaurna Country
Step-free mobility aid access through the main entrance with an accessible bathroom.
Detailed venue info and space accessibility
Duration: 60 min
EVENINGS
Tue 13 Feb - Sat 17 Feb: 7:15pm
Wed 21 Feb - Fri 23 Feb: 7:15pm
Tue 27 Feb - Sat 02 Mar: 7:15pm
Tue 05 Mar - Fri 08 Mar: 7:15pm
Tue 12 Mar - Sat 16 Mar: 7:15pm
MATINEES
Sun 18 Feb: 4:00pm
Sat 24 - Sun 25 Feb: 4:00pm
Sun 03 Mar: 4:00pm
Sat 09 Mar - Sun 10 Mar: 4:00pm
Sun 17 Mar: 4:00pm
Age Suitability: M
Other Warnings: Mental Health
Full price: $25.00 to $32.00
Concession: $27.00
BankSA Cardholder: $24.00
Midweek Treat: $26.00
Schools: $15.00
Honey Pot Comp: $0.00
Companion Card: $0.00
High Audio Content
Meet the Team
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Gareth J Bale
PERFORMER
Gareth’s TV credits include STEELTOWN MURDERS, the title role in the television film GRAV, THE INDIAN DOCTOR, REQUIEM and CASUALTY for the BBC, as well as a leading role in the psychological thriller 35 AWR for S4C.
On stage, he has toured internationally with the highly-acclaimed one-man show GRAV, about legendary Welsh rugby player Ray Gravell and is a regular with touring company Black Rat Theatre Company.
Gareth is also a highly skilled voice artist and has voiced a wide range of commercial campaigns, documentaries and heritage audio guides.
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Owen Thomas
PLAYWRIGHT
Owen Thomas is an award-winning Playwright originally from Mid Wales. His previous writing work includes ‘The Wood’and ‘Grav’for the Torch Theatre where he is also proud to be an Associate Artist. ‘Grav’, a one man show about the life of Ray Gravell, won a Laurel Award at the Edinburgh Festival in 2015 and the Audience Award at the Wales Theatre Awards in 2016. The play has subsequently toured extensively with recent sell-out runs in London, Washington and New York.
His breakthrough play, ‘Richard Parker’, won ‘Best International Show’ at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in Los Angeles in 2012. His other plays include ‘Robert Golding’, ‘The Dead of Night’ ‘Meat’ and‘Benny’a one man show about the life of Benny Hill. This summer, ‘West’,his first American commission, premiered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to a standing ovation and will be touring Wales in 2020. Owen is currently developing several new plays including ‘An Orange in the Subway’,and ‘The Night Porter’,a ghost story for RCT Theatres which will be staged in Spring 2020. Owen also co-runs ‘Rebel Rebel Comedy’ a monthly stand-up comedy night at Tiny Rebel in Cardiff.
A drama teacher of 20 years plus experience Owen teaches on the Young Actor’s Studio Program for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and is the Visiting Teacher of LAMDA and Trinity for Benenden School. He also runs a successful Youth Theatre in his home village of Tongwynlais.
https://regantalentgroup.co.uk/portfolio_page/owen-thomas/
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Peter Doran
DIRECTOR
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Fringe Management, LLC
PRODUCER
Fringe Management, LLC has produced well over 100 plays around the world, with over 90 of those shows presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe including the Fringe First winner “runt,” (Sony Radio Academy Award for BBC World Service production); “This is So Not About the Simpsons” (starring Harry Shearer of “This is Spinal Tap” and “The Simpsons”) and several productions featuring the international comedy sensation The Pajama Men.
http://fringemanagement.co.uk/
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Joanne Hartstone
PRODUCER
Joanne Hartstone is a multi award winning South Australian producer, performer, playwright, director, presenter and teacher. She is a prolific theatre maker, and the shows she brings to Adelaide Fringe are always synonymous with quality, entertainment, innovation and originality. 2024 is her 18th Adelaide Fringe season.
https://www.instagram.com/joannehartstone/
REVIEWS
Previous praise for GRAV
“An unashamed crowd-pleaser, pushing the audience’s patriotic buttons whilst retaining a genial tone throughout... with a central performance which will engage even non-rugby fans, this is robust and charming entertainment.” - British Theatre Guide
“...fitting tribute to the rugby legend... Writer Owen Thomas has penned a beautifully lyrical script” - The Western Mail
“You don’t need to be a rugger bugger – or Welsh – to enjoy this powerful, passionate play” - Edinburgh Festivals Magazine
“In this extraordinary and wonderful one-man play Gareth (John) Bale shows us he has as masterly a grasp of the art of theatre as his namesake, Gareth Bale, has of the art of international football.” - Theatre In Wales
“This is an incredibly moving tale. Bale’s performance is exceptional and he keeps the audience enthralled right up to the very end” - Daily Post
“Grav was a great friend, everybody loved him and tonight you captured him brilliantly. Very funny and exceptionally moving. I could sit through it again.” - Sir Gareth Edwards
“Gareth J Bale’s performance is brilliant, and he holds the audience right up until the last word.” - Buzz Magazine
“There are several moments when Bale delivers emotion-laden lines that have a visible effect on some members of the audience. Peter Doran, as director, and writer Owen Thomas, must get their fair share of the credit for bringing this amazing show to fruition.” - thegoodreview.co.uk
“In addition to the terrific acting and direction, credit is also undoubtedly given to writer of the play, Owen Thomas for his clever humour entwined with the poignant themes of the play... The show will never be forgotten by me” - cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk
