As part of the Research Institute for Arts and Humanities’ (RIAH) public lecture series, this will be Professor Hallam’s inaugural lecture since he was appointed Chair of Welsh in 2010. The subject of his lecture will be the dramatic plays of Saunders Lewis, the Welsh playwright, poet, writer and politician.

Viewed in the context of Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, the lecture will consider in what way his plays differ from recent productions, e.g. Tyner yw’r Lleuad Heno and Sgint, and argue that the canon of Saunders Lewis’ plays attains a higher degree of theatrical appeal.

In view of D’Aubignac’s famous remark, ‘Parler c’est agir’, Professor Hallam will consider how such word-dominant plays can be so full of dramatic action, and as relevant as ever.

Tudur Hallam joined Swansea University in 1999 and was appointed to the Chair of Welsh in 2010. Recent publications include Canon Ein Llên, which won the Ellis Griffith Memorial Prize in 2009, and a chapter on bilingual poetry in Slanderous Tongues (Seren Press: 2010).

His commemorative poem to Professor Hywel Teifi Edwards was awarded the Chair at the National Eisteddfod in 2010. With Dr. Angharad Price, he co-edits the academic series, Ysgrifau Beirniadol.

Professor Hallam is a member of Academi Hywel Teifi established by Swansea University in 2010 in memory of Professor Hywel Teifi Edwards, a former Professor of Welsh at the university.

There are three elements to the work of Academi Hywel Teifi - it is a centre of excellence for studying the Welsh language and its literature, it promotes Welsh-medium teaching and research across the subjects offered by the university and it houses the Welsh for Adults centre.

Director of the Research Institute for Arts and Humanities, Professor Chris Williams said, “Saunders Lewis was one of the most influential and controversial figures of twentieth-century Wales. The founder of modern Welsh nationalism, the inspiration for the Welsh language movement and a significant litterateur in his own right. One is often defined by where one stands in relation to his thought and ideas. Tudur Hallam’s lecture is guaranteed to be carefully considered and thought-provoking.”

The RIAH public lecture will be held in Wallace Lecture Theatre, Wallace Building, Swansea University and will start promptly at 6.00pm. Light refreshments will be available from 5.15pm; everyone is welcome and admission is free. The lecture will be held in Welsh with simultaneous translation.

For further information please contact RIAH, email riah@swansea.ac.uk or telephone 01792 295190.