Ryland Teifi

Download Subtitles

Transcript

0:00:00 > 0:00:00- 888

0:00:00 > 0:00:02- 888- - 888

0:00:07 > 0:00:09- 888

0:00:14 > 0:00:16- 888

0:00:21 > 0:00:23- 888

0:00:28 > 0:00:30- 888

0:00:39 > 0:00:43- The places I've chosen are three - different versions of home.

0:00:43 > 0:00:47- A place where your heart - and soul is, where your mind is...

0:00:47 > 0:00:51- ..where your work is - and where your family is.

0:00:51 > 0:00:54- Your whole life - revolves around that place.

0:00:55 > 0:00:59- We may go through our lives - with more than one home...

0:00:59 > 0:01:03- ..but the idea of home...

0:01:03 > 0:01:06- ..is important to us as a nation.

0:01:19 > 0:01:21- When I come back to Llechryd...

0:01:21 > 0:01:25- ..I realize how much of myself - belongs to my birthplace.

0:01:26 > 0:01:29- I'm from the country. - I'm from country stock.

0:01:37 > 0:01:39- I was brought up here - until I was eight.

0:01:40 > 0:01:42- We lived in - the Tabernacl chapel house.

0:01:42 > 0:01:45- I had lots of friends - and cousins around me.

0:01:46 > 0:01:48- It's where my family is from.

0:01:48 > 0:01:50- I had an idyllic upbringing.

0:01:59 > 0:02:04- I don't come back here very often, - but when I arrived earlier...

0:02:04 > 0:02:07- ..and went down to the river - beneath the bridge...

0:02:08 > 0:02:10- ..where I used to play as a child...

0:02:10 > 0:02:13- ..a strange feeling came over me.

0:02:13 > 0:02:18- It's been 30 years since then, - but the river hasn't changed.

0:02:18 > 0:02:20- The bridge is still there...

0:02:20 > 0:02:24- ..so are the memories which still - strike a chord deep within me.

0:02:34 > 0:02:39- When I lived in Llechryd, I used - to go to Cardigan for piano lessons.

0:02:39 > 0:02:42- I went to school in Llechryd.

0:02:43 > 0:02:46- My first experience of performing...

0:02:46 > 0:02:50- ..was reciting a poem called - Y Falwoden Lwyd.

0:02:53 > 0:02:58- I was very confident in school, - and I gave a big performance...

0:02:58 > 0:03:00- ..of the poem.

0:03:00 > 0:03:04- I surprised all the teachers.

0:03:04 > 0:03:08- But when I got to the Eisteddfod - stage in Cardigan, I totally froze.

0:03:08 > 0:03:12- I retracted into my shell - and whispered the words.

0:03:12 > 0:03:14- That was the beginning for me.

0:03:16 > 0:03:20- Hello. Nice to see you on Sumatra.

0:03:20 > 0:03:25- Coming back here now, those - milestones are important to me...

0:03:25 > 0:03:29- ..because they spurred me on.

0:03:29 > 0:03:32- At Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi, - Capel Cynon...

0:03:32 > 0:03:36- ..and Theatr Felinfach, - performing came naturally to me.

0:03:36 > 0:03:40- I was very privileged - to be able to go there...

0:03:40 > 0:03:43- ..and get so much out - of the performances.

0:03:43 > 0:03:48- # Only long emptiness - since I lost you

0:03:49 > 0:03:54- # My love, despite forsaking

0:03:54 > 0:03:59- # Say you'll come back again

0:04:00 > 0:04:03- # The summer means

0:04:04 > 0:04:08- # Only long emptiness - since I lost you #

0:04:08 > 0:04:11- I went back to Theatr Felinfach...

0:04:11 > 0:04:15- ..to compete in the Urdd's - drama festival.

0:04:15 > 0:04:18- I was playing Shylock - in the Merchant of Venice.

0:04:19 > 0:04:24- Those experiences as an actor - have stayed very real.

0:04:24 > 0:04:26- When I played Shylock...

0:04:26 > 0:04:30- ..I totally threw myself - into the role.

0:04:30 > 0:04:34- The feeling I got from performing - in such a great theatre...

0:04:34 > 0:04:36- ..was second to none.

0:04:37 > 0:04:41- I was fortunate to do an 8-year - apprenticeship in the theatre.

0:04:42 > 0:04:44- It allowed me to travel the world.

0:04:44 > 0:04:49- It's an old-fashioned way of doing - an acting apprenticeship.

0:04:49 > 0:04:51- It was a wonderful experience.

0:05:02 > 0:05:06- From there, I went on to do - several TV series and films...

0:05:06 > 0:05:08- ..the most recent being Pen Talar.

0:05:09 > 0:05:11- Before that, Caerdydd...

0:05:11 > 0:05:17- ..and a series of Y Stafell Ddirgel - and Fondue, Rhyw a Deinosors.

0:05:17 > 0:05:20- I've been fortunate to get work.

0:05:31 > 0:05:35- My full name is Tomos Ryland Davies.

0:05:35 > 0:05:37- My father chose the name.

0:05:37 > 0:05:39- Which may come as a shock.

0:05:39 > 0:05:42- Dad was a big fan...

0:05:42 > 0:05:46- ..of a tenor called Ryland Davies, - a Welshman.

0:05:46 > 0:05:48- So he named me Ryland Davies.

0:05:50 > 0:05:53- When I came to join Equity...

0:05:54 > 0:05:58- ..I couldn't keep the name for that - reason, so I chose Ryland Teifi.

0:05:58 > 0:06:01- # So fond, so true

0:06:01 > 0:06:05- # Where is the sound

0:06:05 > 0:06:09- # Of your sweet words?

0:06:10 > 0:06:12- Dad is a big character...

0:06:12 > 0:06:16- ..who lives for singing - and telling stories.

0:06:16 > 0:06:20- # To follow you #

0:06:21 > 0:06:24- Both sides of the family - have an interest in music.

0:06:25 > 0:06:28- My grandparents on Dad's side - were musical.

0:06:28 > 0:06:32- Mam-gu was a singer, and Tad-cu - loved all kinds of music...

0:06:32 > 0:06:37- ..from opera to artists like - Nat King Cole and David Lloyd.

0:06:38 > 0:06:41- We were always surrounded by music.

0:06:41 > 0:06:44- Dad sung on the club circuit.

0:06:44 > 0:06:49- One of Mam's cousins, Ray Thomas, - is a member of The Moody Blues.

0:06:49 > 0:06:51- So it's on both sides of the family.

0:06:51 > 0:06:54- It was inevitable - that I'd develop an interest.

0:06:55 > 0:06:58- # The night is lonely

0:06:58 > 0:07:00- # Without you #

0:07:01 > 0:07:04- It's something you realize - as you get older.

0:07:04 > 0:07:07- I'm 37, and it's only - through looking back...

0:07:07 > 0:07:10- ..that music - and festivals like the Cnapan...

0:07:10 > 0:07:14- ..and the privileged opportunities - we had...

0:07:15 > 0:07:17- ..at Theatr Felinfach...

0:07:17 > 0:07:21- ..and at school in Capel Cynon - and Dyffryn Teifi...

0:07:21 > 0:07:26- ..that I realize what a significant - role they played in my life.

0:07:27 > 0:07:29- # I'm lonely now

0:07:30 > 0:07:34- # Unable to sleep #

0:07:34 > 0:07:38- I think we're closer now - than we've ever been.

0:07:38 > 0:07:43- It's not so much a father-and-son - relationship any more.

0:07:43 > 0:07:45- We're more like brothers.

0:07:46 > 0:07:48- # Oh, so heavy am I

0:07:49 > 0:07:51- # Oh, so heavy am I

0:07:51 > 0:07:55- # So heavy is my heart

0:07:55 > 0:07:59- # After burying the old black boar #

0:08:04 > 0:08:06- Some places stay in your heart.

0:08:07 > 0:08:11- Llechryd will always have a place - in my heart because of my childhood.

0:08:11 > 0:08:16- I had the ideal upbringing - until I was eight years old.

0:08:16 > 0:08:20- I think it was Yeats who said, - "Never a crack in my heart"...

0:08:21 > 0:08:24- ..meaning - before life gets a hold of you.

0:08:24 > 0:08:28- You remember your friends - and cousins with fondness.

0:08:28 > 0:08:31- You looked up to them, - and life was perfect.

0:08:31 > 0:08:34- I'm always reminded of those times.

0:08:38 > 0:08:38- .

0:08:43 > 0:08:43- 888

0:08:43 > 0:08:45- 888- - 888

0:09:01 > 0:09:04- This is where I usually come - on holiday.

0:09:04 > 0:09:07- I feel at ease here.

0:09:07 > 0:09:12- In terms of the person I am and - the things I like doing in life...

0:09:12 > 0:09:16- ..I feel that part of my spirit - is here.

0:09:17 > 0:09:21- The place has so much to offer me - personally.

0:09:39 > 0:09:43- I met Roisin in 1996 in Dublin.

0:09:43 > 0:09:48- I was on tour with Taliesin, a - children's show, in The Ark theatre.

0:09:48 > 0:09:53- She'd just come back from America, - and was working there for a week.

0:09:55 > 0:10:00- A little while after that, I came - to Ring, and the rest is history.

0:10:09 > 0:10:13- We're here in the Catholic church - in Ring.

0:10:13 > 0:10:17- It means a lot to me because - it's where I married Roisin...

0:10:17 > 0:10:19- ..eleven years ago.

0:10:21 > 0:10:24- I remember when we got engaged...

0:10:24 > 0:10:28- ..we came here to see the church...

0:10:28 > 0:10:31- ..and I fell in love with it - instantly.

0:10:31 > 0:10:36- It's a special place - and has a maritime feel about it.

0:10:36 > 0:10:41- There's a tranquillity here which - can be found in the Welsh chapels...

0:10:41 > 0:10:43- ..of west Wales.

0:10:44 > 0:10:47- It's so close to other places - in the area...

0:10:47 > 0:10:51- ..such as the pub, the beach - and the sea.

0:10:51 > 0:10:54- Everything is within - walking distance...

0:10:54 > 0:10:57- ..so everything ties in perfectly.

0:11:00 > 0:11:02- Roisin's family...

0:11:02 > 0:11:06- ..Moira, and the famous Mooneys, - are all from Ring.

0:11:06 > 0:11:11- They've been here for generations, - so it has historical connections.

0:11:14 > 0:11:17- When it came to the wedding...

0:11:17 > 0:11:21- ..Roisin worked out she had - 52 first cousins...

0:11:21 > 0:11:25- ..so choosing which of them - to invite was tricky.

0:11:30 > 0:11:34- I've fond memories - of that day eleven years ago.

0:11:34 > 0:11:38- Half the congregation were Welsh, - half were Irish...

0:11:38 > 0:11:41- ..so it was a bit like - a rugby international.

0:11:53 > 0:11:57- Ring is what they call - a Gaeltacht region...

0:11:58 > 0:12:02- ..a Gaelic-speaking area.

0:12:06 > 0:12:09- It's widely spoken in the harbour - and on the street.

0:12:10 > 0:12:14- As a Welshman - whose first language is Welsh...

0:12:15 > 0:12:18- ..it's something I appreciate.

0:12:36 > 0:12:39- # You remember my great uncle

0:12:40 > 0:12:44- # Dafydd from Felindre

0:12:45 > 0:12:49- # You'll remember well, I know it #

0:12:49 > 0:12:54- The people in Ring and The Mooneys' - pub are very easy-going.

0:12:54 > 0:12:59- It's my local, despite being - a few hundred miles away.

0:12:59 > 0:13:04- When I come here in summer, my body - relaxes, and I totally unwind.

0:13:07 > 0:13:10- # Whoa, home-spun wool - from the mountain sheep

0:13:10 > 0:13:12- # Made to last and bought to keep #

0:13:12 > 0:13:15- The place has so much history...

0:13:15 > 0:13:17- ..and culture.

0:13:17 > 0:13:19- The Clancys played here.

0:13:19 > 0:13:24- There are photographs on the wall - of The Fureys and The Dubliners...

0:13:24 > 0:13:28- ..as well as young bands like Danu.

0:13:28 > 0:13:31- Even Ar Log and The Hennessys - have sung here.

0:13:31 > 0:13:36- When you walk into this place, - you can smell the history.

0:13:36 > 0:13:41- Six generations of Mooneys - have been running this pub.

0:13:44 > 0:13:46- It's currently being run by women.

0:13:47 > 0:13:53- I'd say that's an indication of - the strength of the Mooneys' women.

0:13:55 > 0:13:59- Coming here and seeing how they live - from day to day...

0:13:59 > 0:14:05- ..is as natural as breathing - or walking.

0:14:05 > 0:14:09- I'd call it a kind of currency.

0:14:09 > 0:14:13- # One morning, one morning

0:14:14 > 0:14:17- # One morning in May #

0:14:19 > 0:14:24- When I first came here, I was lucky - enough to be in very select company.

0:14:25 > 0:14:28- I was with Roisin, my wife, - and her family.

0:14:28 > 0:14:31- Roisin's father, Bobby...

0:14:32 > 0:14:36- ..was a person - who'd take you under his wing.

0:14:36 > 0:14:40- He'd ask you to play - your instrument while he sang...

0:14:40 > 0:14:44- ..before asking you to sing a song - once you'd relaxed.

0:14:44 > 0:14:48- He never made it - a daunting experience.

0:14:48 > 0:14:53- Ever since then, this pub, - with the big side over there...

0:14:53 > 0:14:57- ..and this, the small side, - is the heart of the pub.

0:14:58 > 0:15:00- There have been so many - great nights here.

0:15:03 > 0:15:05- It's a very special place.

0:15:24 > 0:15:28- The Clancy family - is holding a concert tonight.

0:15:28 > 0:15:33- All the relations of the Clancy - brothers in America or Wales...

0:15:34 > 0:15:38- ..or wherever, have come here - for tonight's special concert.

0:15:38 > 0:15:41- The Clancys...

0:15:41 > 0:15:45- ..were responsible for - the explosion in popularity...

0:15:45 > 0:15:49- ..of Irish folk culture.

0:15:50 > 0:15:54- These days, contemporary shows - such as Riverdance...

0:15:55 > 0:15:59- ..are reminiscent of that time - in the '60s in Greenwich Village...

0:16:00 > 0:16:04- ..when they went and modernized - the old style of folk music.

0:16:05 > 0:16:07- That changed everything.

0:16:09 > 0:16:12- Music has become - much more personal to me.

0:16:13 > 0:16:16- Or songwriting, I should say.

0:16:17 > 0:16:22- Coming to Carrick-on-Suir and Ring - and meeting Bobby Clancy...

0:16:23 > 0:16:26- ..who showed me great support...

0:16:26 > 0:16:30- ..inspired me to fulfil my dream - of writing and performing.

0:16:32 > 0:16:34- # Sometimes, you have to be down #

0:16:35 > 0:16:38- I'm indebted to the place - and the family.

0:16:40 > 0:16:41- # We'll come up as one

0:16:43 > 0:16:46- # With a different view

0:16:48 > 0:16:50- # Ready to face the day

0:16:52 > 0:16:54- # It might be Judgement Day, yeah

0:16:56 > 0:17:00- # Come and see the sun, - come and face the day

0:17:00 > 0:17:04- # Join me in the fields - where the song is free

0:17:04 > 0:17:10- # Come out of the hedge - with a full cup

0:17:10 > 0:17:12- # Let's see what happens

0:17:12 > 0:17:15- # Yeah, let's see what happens

0:17:15 > 0:17:20- # Yeah, let's see what happens

0:17:20 > 0:17:23- # Whoa-oh-oh-oh, - let's see what happens #

0:17:30 > 0:17:33- Well, I'd say...

0:17:35 > 0:17:37- ..I owe a lot to this place.

0:17:39 > 0:17:41- I met my wife, Roisin, - who's from here.

0:17:41 > 0:17:45- My children - are both Welsh and Irish.

0:17:47 > 0:17:50- I've learnt so much - about performing.

0:17:52 > 0:17:56- I've learnt the importance of - songs and culture.

0:17:58 > 0:18:02- If I hadn't come to Ring, - I wouldn't be half the man I am now.

0:18:25 > 0:18:29- I wanted to move away from - the city...

0:18:29 > 0:18:34- ..and though we chose Barry, - one of the biggest towns in Wales...

0:18:35 > 0:18:38- ..when we saw how close it was - to nature...

0:18:38 > 0:18:42- ..and the sea...

0:18:42 > 0:18:45- ..we knew we'd made - the right decision.

0:18:45 > 0:18:49- Moving here seemed - the natural thing to do.

0:19:00 > 0:19:04- I didn't realize before - that the choices you make...

0:19:04 > 0:19:06- ..are buried in your subconscious.

0:19:07 > 0:19:11- When we came to Barry and saw the - sea and all the places to walk...

0:19:12 > 0:19:16- ..Roisin and I both thought - it was incredible.

0:19:17 > 0:19:20- And not everyone knows about it.

0:19:23 > 0:19:28- Being somewhere where you're - surrounded by the sea and nature...

0:19:28 > 0:19:33- ..becomes an integral part - of your decision-making...

0:19:33 > 0:19:36- ..when it comes to - where you want to be.

0:20:00 > 0:20:02- The spiritual side is important.

0:20:02 > 0:20:04- Being close to nature...

0:20:04 > 0:20:10- ..and sitting in places - that remind you of your childhood.

0:20:11 > 0:20:15- You're at one with nature here - in a world at its most primitive.

0:20:16 > 0:20:20- And then you get an aeroplane - flying overhead...

0:20:20 > 0:20:23- ..taking someone to a faraway place.

0:20:23 > 0:20:27- You're also constantly aware - of the numerous passing ships.

0:20:27 > 0:20:30- Those dichotomies - are always present.

0:20:40 > 0:20:45- I think you have to escape from - the acting and performing world.

0:20:45 > 0:20:50- In a way, every means of performing - is a sort of circus.

0:20:50 > 0:20:55- If you want to stay in that circus, - then fine...

0:20:55 > 0:20:57- ..but expect the consequences.

0:20:57 > 0:21:02- If you want a break from the circus, - then you need places like this.

0:21:02 > 0:21:06- I like entering the circus - now and again...

0:21:06 > 0:21:09- ..and I like coming home.

0:21:42 > 0:21:45- Having a family - totally changes the game.

0:21:45 > 0:21:49- It also makes you question...

0:21:49 > 0:21:55- ..where you want you and your - family to be in years to come.

0:21:56 > 0:22:01- Perhaps you're tempted to go back - to the area where you grew up...

0:22:01 > 0:22:04- ..to your home...

0:22:04 > 0:22:09- ..your wife's home, your spiritual - home, or is this your home?

0:22:10 > 0:22:15- Your children redefine who you are, - and they define their own lives.

0:22:18 > 0:22:22- Those questions - are always evolving...

0:22:22 > 0:22:26- ..and are being asked - almost every day.

0:22:29 > 0:22:32- For Lowri, Cifa and Myfi, - who's only a year old...

0:22:32 > 0:22:38- ..this place is going to be - an important part of their lives.

0:22:52 > 0:22:54- At the end of the day...

0:22:55 > 0:22:59- ..it's a marriage between - the geographical location...

0:22:59 > 0:23:02- ..and the people - who make it what it is.

0:23:03 > 0:23:06- Being close to nature and the sea - is important...

0:23:06 > 0:23:10- ..but it means nothing - without people.

0:23:49 > 0:23:51- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.

0:23:51 > 0:23:51- .