Contemporancient Theatre CIC

Contemporancient Theatre - Borough Theatre, Abergavenny, South Wales, Sanctuary". The most powerful theatre I've seen for many years. Very simple set

Attending Secrets of the Gunter Mansion was such a remarkable experience. It has revealed Abergavenny's history as a welcoming town and sanctuary for refugees unveiling its compassionate spirit. It was incredibly touching and thought-provoking. The script has cleverly connected contemporary issues with the past, which created a very powerful impact. And the combination of beautiful music and divine voices has enhanced the overall experience. One of the best performances I have ever attended. My only regret is having watched the last show only. I do hope they keep this great work and I will follow them wherever they go.

Secrets of the Gunter Mansion. A lovely story that is particularly relevant today. Very well acted and thought provoking. The two songs were beautiful and the performer had a gorgeous voice. Well done to all involved.

A thought provoking piece, with heart and backbone. The way the poetry was woven though the play really gave it another level. It isn’t easy to raise political and racial issues and prejudices whilst also giving the audience something beautiful, relatable and undeniably welsh. I throughly enjoyed it.

Thank you to all those involved in producing the play Sanctuary: The secrets of the Gunter Mansion. A beautifully written script, with a profound message about humanity that resonates worldwide in my opinion, and shines light on the current issue of prejudice towards immigrants by cleverly intertwining it with historic events. Well done to all the actors who each had such tremendous presence on stage. A touching performance, but also light hearted and sweet at times. I loved the music as well, it’s clear that so much heart and soul went into producing the songs. I hope to see Sanctuary playing in many more theatres in the future!

Congratulations to Writer Vic Mills and Director Neil Maidman and all the cast members and crew involved in the production of Sanctuary: The Secrets of the Gunter Mansion at The Borough Theatre, Abergavenny last week – Refugee week. The play which also features new music by Stephen J. Preston and original songs by poet Kevin Mills, was a thought-provoking, moving success. It was also incredibly engaging.On paper this new and original play seemed like it might be a difficult watch. It intertwines the stories of people who have sought sanctuary in the Gunter Mansion. Oldcorne (Vic Mills) and Garnet (James Morgan) are 17th Century Jesuit priests in hiding and contemplating their inevitable fate. United in their beliefs but divided by their individual approaches to religious differences, they spend their time in a cramped garret space with no comfort and very little food, mostly arguing about day and night.Their plight is the Reformation equalivent to Latifa’s (Sara Masry) predicament. She is a Syrian refugee who works on the building site at the mansion with Ed (also played by James Morgan). Their conversations echo the debate many of us in Britain are having with each other about how to welcome people who are seeking sanctuary in this country – because they absolutely can’t stay in the places where they were born. The historian Cerys (Jemima Nicholas) links the 17th century story to the present day. She is also homeless and seeking refuge in the mansion because she can’t afford to pay for accommodation in Abergavenny, her hometown; the place where she wants to live.As you’d expect with this dense subject matter, there are some heartbreaking speeches and confessions and at least one very moving conversion. And it is that which makes the play a hopeful one.

Secrets of the Gunter mansion was an incredibly moving play that so skillfully linked the struggles of present day refugees with the incredible history of Abergavenny. The cast were fantastic and I learned a lot about the history of my own country at the same time. Bravo!

Sanctuary - The secrets of the Gunter Mansion By Vic Mills at The Borough Theatre Abergavenny.A beautifully presented and highly thought provoking original piece of theatre. Looking at intense current themes around refugees from war and strife looking for sanctuary today. It cleverly looks at this with a prism in time back to the 17th century terror of religion driven civil war and the evil then perpetrated.The acting was powerful and beautifully played by a talented cast.The presentation was creative, moody and intense.Well worth our two hour drive from Mid Wales. We had plenty to talk about on the way home.