Happy Birthday Rownd a Rownd, or to use the Welsh term Penblwydd hapus, 30 years and still going strong. The team behind one of S4C’s most popular series is serving up a whole host of treats to mark this milestone occasion.
First up on this menu of goodies is the starter, a rare chance to see the first series from 1995 on S4C’s YouTube channel. Go right back to where the show began with original cast, including Aled Shaw (Owain Arthur), Lowri Mai Evans (Bethan Ellis Owen), Ffion Parry (Fflur Medi Owen), Ari Stiffs (the late Dyfrig Evans), and Islwyn Morgan (the late Dewi ‘Pws’ Morris).
If that isn’t enough to feast on then this Saturday 13 September, at Theatr Pontio, Bangor, fans will have the opportunity to meet the cast and crew of the series,enjoy musical performances by the cast, take part in a question and answer session, and be treated to a few surprises.
This will be followed in the evening by the release of a brand new book Rownd a Rownd yn Dathlu’r 30 (published by Y Lolfa) that looks at the history and cultural impact of a show now marking 30 years on television. The newly released book not only features contributions from cast and crew across all eras but also includes an extensive collection of photographs.
The editor of this amazing new book, Llio Non, knows a thing or two about the series, having played the role of Jen Stephens in Rownd a Rownd for over five years before moving behind the camera. Llio was the script editor for the special International Women’s Day episode early this year.
Now for the main course!
Off our screens since July but back with a bang, this episode delivers on all the drama we fans have come to love. The new series will launch with a special double bill full of dramatic twists. The episode promises to resolve cliffhangers from the previous series and includes flash-forwards to a major event that shakes Glanrafon to its core.
‘We at Rondo are extremely proud to celebrate this special milestone for Rownd a Rownd. From its beginnings as a series of 15-minute programmes for children, it’s now a staple of S4C’s prime-time shows,’ said Bedwyr Rees, Rownd a Rownd’s Executive Producer.
Also speaking about the series was Chief Executive of S4C, Geraint Evans, who commented: ‘As we mark a milestone as significant as 30 years, we celebrate Rownd a Rownd’s cultural contribution and a very special series that brings families together on the sofa to enjoy drama and entertainment through the medium of Welsh.’
Rownd a Rownd was only on a 6-month contract when it started but is still going strong 3 decades on, a real credit to the cast and crew, past and present, for all their dedication – here’s to the next 30!
Unmissable hour-long special airs tonight at 8pm on S4C