Behind the scenes at Rownd a Rownd. We look behind at how the iconic Welsh soap is made and what keeps it so authentic after 30 years.
Not too cool for school
The series, produced by Rondo Media, films on a real street in the middle of the town which brings a level of authenticity that made The Bill a huge part of what it was.
This week Eastieoaks.com took an exclusive look behind the scenes. In true keeping with maintaining that real life basis of the series, a big part of the drama revolves around the school Ysgol Glanrafon. ‘We film in an actual school, but only on Saturdays and during half term!’
The challenge of a show that was originally based on young people is that careful guidelines have to be maintained ‘You can only have the kids for a certain number of hours depending on their age and you have to plan carefully to make the most of that time.’
On set at Dale Street, in between takes, a chaperone is on hand to ensure the safety and well-being of the younger cast. ‘It’s harder to manage working with kids, and babies, well, they have their own schedules entirely.’
The team behind the scenes also reflected on the creative lineage, noting that Phil Redmond, best known for Grange Hill and Brookside, had early involvement in Rownd a Rownd’s development, linking the show to that same tradition of authentic and community-driven drama that has driven the series 30 years after it began.
Location, Location, Location
Speaking as a fan, one of the standout points for Rownd a Rownd over other soaps such as EastEnders and Coronation Street is the scenery that a location such as Menai Bridge brings with it, which is a character in its own right. The opening and closing title sequence features shots of the Menai Suspension Bridge, which links Bangor with the Isle of Anglesey.
Much like Doctors, Rownd a Rownd has a rich history of filming out and about and inside real houses, with the interiors later being recreated in the studios at Llangefni. ‘We’ve been filming in Menai Bridge for thirty years and the locals barely notice us now. They even ask, ‘When are you coming back?’ when we’re not around.’ In fact, ‘It’s good for everyone: the local cafés, shops, and residents. The show is part of the community now.’
‘When you’re filming in Menai Bridge, you can’t go long without being spotted which means people always stop to watch or film on their phones.’
However, filming has challenges even the team has no control over, namely the weather, but the ever-resourceful crew adapted as always. ‘Yesterday, we were supposed to film outside, but it was tipping down, and the whole schedule had to be changed,’ our guide tells us.
Once you know where you are filming, the next step is to remember what you are doing: ‘Continuity is everything; if you pick something up with your right hand, you’ve got to do the same on the next take.’
When the pandemic changed how soap production was made. Rownd a Rownd added to new studios in nearby Llangefni. ‘At Aria, we’ve got the space to move walls, build extra rooms, and make the sets breathe. The Menai locations give us the heart; Aria gives us flexibility.’
Rownd a Rownd airs Tuesday and Thursday on S4C at 8.25pm with catchup via Clic and Iplayer
Full credit to Annes Wyn and Gethin Bickerton for this experience behind the scenes at Rownd a Rownd.