3 Lle: Tudur Owen

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0:00:58 > 0:01:00- Since this is the place - I was raised...

0:01:00 > 0:01:04- ..it's where my roots - are most deeply rooted.

0:01:05 > 0:01:07- It's like an anchor to me.

0:01:18 > 0:01:21- I do consider myself - to be very lucky.

0:01:21 > 0:01:24- I can return to Trefri - whenever I want.

0:01:24 > 0:01:28- My brother is the farm's tenant.

0:01:28 > 0:01:30- That's a nice feeling.

0:01:30 > 0:01:33- When I was younger, - I couldn't wait to leave...

0:01:34 > 0:01:37- ..but now, - I take every opportunity to return.

0:01:45 > 0:01:47- I like the name Trefri.

0:01:48 > 0:01:50- It suggests so much to me.

0:01:50 > 0:01:53- Many people make the mistake - of calling it Trefriw.

0:01:53 > 0:01:56- It's not the same - as the town in Vale of Conwy.

0:01:57 > 0:01:59- Tre-fri. - 'Tre o fri' (a town of honour).

0:01:59 > 0:02:02- It suggests the place - has a long history.

0:02:02 > 0:02:06- The buildings are very old.

0:02:06 > 0:02:09- The house was rebuilt in 1721.

0:02:09 > 0:02:14- The outbuildings behind me - are even older than that...

0:02:14 > 0:02:15- ..a lot older.

0:02:34 > 0:02:38- My family has run this farm - since the 1930s.

0:02:38 > 0:02:44- My father's father, Taid and Nain, - moved here in 1934...

0:02:44 > 0:02:46- ..when my father was a young boy.

0:02:47 > 0:02:49- It's a rather unique location.

0:02:49 > 0:02:54- It's remote and stormy weather - can rage from the sea...

0:02:54 > 0:02:58- ..but it's also sheltered - because it's right on the coast.

0:02:59 > 0:03:01- The terrain - is both sandy and rocky.

0:03:08 > 0:03:11- As I grow older, - I have my own family now...

0:03:11 > 0:03:16- ..I can appreciate - what Mam did when she raised us.

0:03:16 > 0:03:19- We were five children - living on the farm.

0:03:19 > 0:03:23- I suppose it would have - been hard to find activities...

0:03:23 > 0:03:26- ..to keep us entertained - as children.

0:03:26 > 0:03:29- I know it's hard - to stop children becoming bored.

0:03:29 > 0:03:35- My older brother and sister - spent a lot of time together.

0:03:35 > 0:03:38- At one time, - I was youngest child...

0:03:38 > 0:03:41- ..and I was given - a lot of attention.

0:03:41 > 0:03:45- Then another two babies arrived, - so cute in their pink and blue.

0:03:45 > 0:03:50- They took all the attention - and Tudur was left in the middle.

0:03:50 > 0:03:54- My brother and sister didn't really - want this little boy with them...

0:03:55 > 0:03:58- ..and I didn't want to be - with little girls who liked pink.

0:03:59 > 0:04:02- I was often left - to my own devices on the farm.

0:04:02 > 0:04:05- There was very little to do here.

0:04:05 > 0:04:09- As far as the younger sisters - were concerned...

0:04:09 > 0:04:11- ..he treated them as playthings.

0:04:11 > 0:04:13- He would often make them cry.

0:04:13 > 0:04:17- That was his aim most days.

0:04:17 > 0:04:21- If he hadn't made - both of them cry by lunchtime...

0:04:22 > 0:04:25- ..it hadn't been - a successful day for him.

0:04:25 > 0:04:31- I remember one occasion, he pinched - them to try and make them cry.

0:04:31 > 0:04:34- Mam decided she'd pinch him herself.

0:04:35 > 0:04:40- He phoned the NSPCC - but they didn't take him seriously.

0:04:50 > 0:04:52- I often found myself alone.

0:04:53 > 0:04:56- I had to keep myself occupied.

0:04:57 > 0:05:01- I was an energetic child - and I wanted a buzz and thrills.

0:05:02 > 0:05:04- The only way I got a thrill...

0:05:05 > 0:05:07- ..was by taking dangerous risks.

0:05:07 > 0:05:10- I'd climb onto the rooves - of the buildings...

0:05:11 > 0:05:13- ..and onto the roof of the house.

0:05:13 > 0:05:16- I'd climb the highest tree - I could find...

0:05:16 > 0:05:18- ..and take my canoe down to the sea.

0:05:19 > 0:05:21- I'd go as far as I could - in the canoe...

0:05:21 > 0:05:24- ..without my parents finding out.

0:05:30 > 0:05:33- As I was so mischievous...

0:05:35 > 0:05:37- ..Mam would worry about me.

0:05:38 > 0:05:41- She'd get angry, I'd get angry...

0:05:41 > 0:05:45- ..and we'd have these huge quarrels.

0:05:48 > 0:05:50- Tudur always pushed the boundaries.

0:05:50 > 0:05:53- Mam valiantly tried to control him.

0:05:53 > 0:05:58- She did a job - but it was hard work at times.

0:05:58 > 0:06:03- I remember him climbing - the Scots pine in the garden.

0:06:03 > 0:06:07- Mam was standing at the bottom with - a brush, trying to get him down.

0:06:08 > 0:06:09- She was incensed.

0:06:09 > 0:06:13- She couldn't do anything - because he was right at the top.

0:06:13 > 0:06:16- I remember her looking at me - through the window.

0:06:16 > 0:06:20- She was checking to see - if I was still at the top.

0:06:20 > 0:06:24- She was just worried about me - but she didn't admit to it.

0:06:24 > 0:06:26- I came down when I was hungry.

0:06:27 > 0:06:32- Not a word was said. - I just ate my mince.

0:06:36 > 0:06:40- The five of us grew up - on a very remote farm.

0:06:40 > 0:06:43- It was two miles - to the nearest child.

0:06:43 > 0:06:48- My brother and I were happy - to help out on the farm...

0:06:48 > 0:06:51- ..but Tudur wasn't always content - with his lot.

0:06:51 > 0:06:54- He wanted more from life.

0:06:54 > 0:06:57- One way was to find - other mischievous boys.

0:06:57 > 0:07:01- If there was a mischievous boy, - Tudur would end up being his friend.

0:07:06 > 0:07:12- I was in trouble all the time, - in school and further afield.

0:07:12 > 0:07:15- As I grew older, my world grew.

0:07:15 > 0:07:19- There was far more potential - for being mischievous.

0:07:19 > 0:07:23- I was in trouble with the police - on more than one occasion.

0:07:24 > 0:07:26- I shouldn't really - talk about this.

0:07:27 > 0:07:30- One of the boys from the village - and I...

0:07:30 > 0:07:35- ..took a motorbike - without the owner's consent.

0:07:35 > 0:07:38- Theft would be another word!

0:07:38 > 0:07:41- We wanted to get somewhere - so we took it.

0:07:41 > 0:07:44- We got caught - and ended up in so much trouble.

0:07:44 > 0:07:48- It caused so many problems - for me and my family.

0:07:48 > 0:07:52- It was a fairly important time - in my life.

0:07:52 > 0:07:56- I wouldn't change it in any way - because it made me who I am now.

0:08:17 > 0:08:22- The fact that Trefri is so close - to the sea is very important.

0:08:22 > 0:08:28- I feel uncomfortable - if I find myself far from the sea.

0:08:29 > 0:08:31- I like being close to the sea.

0:08:31 > 0:08:33- This area is remarkable.

0:08:33 > 0:08:36- When I return to Trefri...

0:08:36 > 0:08:38- ..I call in - to say hello to them all...

0:08:39 > 0:08:42- ..then make my way - down to the sea as soon as I can.

0:08:42 > 0:08:45- In the winter, - when the sea is rough...

0:08:46 > 0:08:50- ..and the wind howls from the west...

0:08:50 > 0:08:52- ..it can be a terrifying place.

0:08:53 > 0:08:56- It can make you feel very small.

0:08:56 > 0:08:58- I love the sea's power.

0:08:59 > 0:09:02- I love watching it - being as angry as it can be.

0:09:18 > 0:09:23- I'm racking my brain - trying to work out how I ended up...

0:09:23 > 0:09:27- ..after being raised - in a place like this...

0:09:27 > 0:09:29- ..doing the work I'm doing now.

0:09:29 > 0:09:31- I owe a great debt to Mam.

0:09:31 > 0:09:36- She encountered many problems with me - but never gave up.

0:09:39 > 0:09:40- Mam died two years ago...

0:09:41 > 0:09:46- ..but I'm glad she had the chance - to see me realizing my dream...

0:09:47 > 0:09:50- ..of doing work I enjoy.

0:09:53 > 0:09:56- I'm glad she saw me - heading in the right direction.

0:09:56 > 0:09:59- She'd be proud - of the work I'm doing.

0:09:59 > 0:10:01- That's a comfort sometimes.

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0:10:48 > 0:10:51- I'm here, on Platform 1, - Bangor train station

0:10:51 > 0:10:54- Some of my earliest memories - come from here.

0:11:01 > 0:11:05- The station connects me to my past - and I like that.

0:11:05 > 0:11:10- So much has happened here. I love - sitting down to wonder about that.

0:11:10 > 0:11:14- I also like to reminisce about - the times I came here as a boy.

0:11:14 > 0:11:19- For a child, the steps at the front - of the station were quite iconic.

0:11:20 > 0:11:22- I remember thinking as a child...

0:11:22 > 0:11:26- ..the steps were the gateway - to the rest of the world.

0:11:26 > 0:11:30- That's what they were - as far as I was concerned.

0:11:30 > 0:11:32- In Bangor station...

0:11:32 > 0:11:37- ..more often than not, - my journeys started or ended.

0:11:37 > 0:11:43- There's a lot of emotion attached - to this place - for me, anyway.

0:11:43 > 0:11:47- As a family, - we travelled a lot and still do.

0:11:57 > 0:12:00- I'm always excited - when I'm on the platform...

0:12:00 > 0:12:03- ..whether I'm meeting someone - or saying farewell.

0:12:04 > 0:12:07- There's a tunnel - at either end of the platform.

0:12:08 > 0:12:13- You could hear the train approaching - before you could see it.

0:12:13 > 0:12:16- The tracks made a whistling noise.

0:12:17 > 0:12:21- We'd look into the darkness - and see the light emerging.

0:12:21 > 0:12:25- We'd know that Mam and Dad were home.

0:12:39 > 0:12:41- I remember one occasion...

0:12:41 > 0:12:47- ..they went to South Africa - for several weeks.

0:12:47 > 0:12:50- That's one - of the earliest memories I have...

0:12:50 > 0:12:53- ..saying goodbye to my parents, - Elen and Richard.

0:12:54 > 0:12:55- I was too young to go.

0:12:55 > 0:13:00- I can remember holding - my Auntie Katie's hand...

0:13:00 > 0:13:04- ..and hiding behind her shyly - when I welcomed them back.

0:13:05 > 0:13:08- Mam was so upset - because I was so shy.

0:13:11 > 0:13:14- A lot of romance - is linked to this place.

0:13:14 > 0:13:17- It's seen better days.

0:13:17 > 0:13:20- The buildings - need a lick of paint and some TLC...

0:13:20 > 0:13:22- ..but I like them.

0:13:24 > 0:13:27- They provide a link to my past.

0:13:27 > 0:13:31- I like sitting here imagining - what's gone on here over the years.

0:13:32 > 0:13:34- I've had so many experiences here...

0:13:34 > 0:13:37- ..welcoming people home - and saying farewell.

0:13:37 > 0:13:39- I love this place.

0:14:07 > 0:14:11- I'm sitting in the set - of the TV comedy show Ista'nbwl...

0:14:11 > 0:14:14- ..in Barcud's television studio...

0:14:14 > 0:14:16- ..in Caernarfon.

0:14:17 > 0:14:20- I remember walking into the studio - for the very first time.

0:14:20 > 0:14:25- It was the set of a television - series called Bacha Hi O 'Ma...

0:14:25 > 0:14:27- ..presented by Alwyn Sion.

0:14:27 > 0:14:29- I was an assistant floor manager.

0:14:29 > 0:14:34- I'll never forget the feeling - of walking into the excitement...

0:14:34 > 0:14:37- ..of the rehearsals - for the programme.

0:14:37 > 0:14:40- I knew that's what I wanted to do.

0:14:40 > 0:14:44- Dewi Rhys, the floor manager, - was the main floor manager.

0:14:44 > 0:14:47- Everyone in the industry - calls him Magwa.

0:14:47 > 0:14:48- One night, he said...

0:14:49 > 0:14:52- .."Right, Tudur, you can - welcome the audience tonight.

0:14:52 > 0:14:56- "It's time you took - the responsibility."

0:14:56 > 0:14:57- Gulp!

0:14:58 > 0:15:00- Looking back, it was nothing.

0:15:00 > 0:15:04- All I had to do - was point out the fire exits...

0:15:05 > 0:15:08- ..tell them - we'd have a break in the middle...

0:15:08 > 0:15:12- ..and tell them to remain quiet - during certain parts of the show.

0:15:13 > 0:15:15- I was in pieces.

0:15:15 > 0:15:18- I had to help them relax - by saying a few jokes.

0:15:19 > 0:15:23- I stepped out, told a joke - and there were a few sniggers.

0:15:23 > 0:15:25- It wasn't raucous laughter...

0:15:26 > 0:15:28- ..just chuckles.

0:15:28 > 0:15:32- That was enough to make me realize - they were listening to me...

0:15:32 > 0:15:34- ..and enjoying themselves.

0:15:38 > 0:15:40- That same year, 1999...

0:15:40 > 0:15:44- ..a friend of mine, - Dewi Rhys the actor...

0:15:45 > 0:15:47- ..Dyff in Pobol y Cwm...

0:15:47 > 0:15:51- ..told me about a comedy festival - that was being organized...

0:15:51 > 0:15:55- ..to coincide with the - National Eisteddfod in Anglesey.

0:15:55 > 0:16:00- Mei Jones, Eilir Jones, Daniel Glyn - and Huw Marshall were performing.

0:16:01 > 0:16:05- He asked me if I wanted - to perform a comedy set.

0:16:06 > 0:16:09- For me, being a floor manager - and controlling an audience...

0:16:10 > 0:16:12- ..was very different to stand-up...

0:16:12 > 0:16:16- ..but I still fancied - a crack at being a comedian.

0:16:18 > 0:16:22- The event was being held - in the Glanrafon Hotel in Benllech.

0:16:23 > 0:16:25- I walked on and stood there.

0:16:25 > 0:16:30- Although I knew what to expect, - I still felt very nervous.

0:16:30 > 0:16:35- I performed my set - and it went down well.

0:16:36 > 0:16:38- People laughed - and laughed out aloud.

0:16:39 > 0:16:41- It gave me such a thrill.

0:16:49 > 0:16:53- My set today - is about two hours long in Welsh...

0:16:54 > 0:16:57- ..and about an hour long in English.

0:16:57 > 0:17:00- It originates from - the five-minute set in Benllech.

0:17:02 > 0:17:05- I've been doing stand-up with Tudur - for over ten years.

0:17:05 > 0:17:07- He's doing far more than me now.

0:17:07 > 0:17:10- I'm almost drawing my pension!

0:17:11 > 0:17:13- He's enthusiastic - and has boundless energy.

0:17:15 > 0:17:18- He has the drive to do it.

0:17:18 > 0:17:22- He'd do stand-up every night - if he could.

0:17:23 > 0:17:27- He keeps track of every gig - we've done.

0:17:27 > 0:17:33- He could tell you how a gig went - in Blaenau Ffestiniog in 2004.

0:17:34 > 0:17:37- He'd have marked himself - eight out of ten...

0:17:37 > 0:17:40- ..and marked me two out ten again!

0:17:40 > 0:17:43- He would remember specific gigs...

0:17:43 > 0:17:46- ..and that sort of memory is great - as back-up.

0:17:49 > 0:17:54- My earliest comedy heroes, - without a doubt...

0:17:54 > 0:17:58- ..are two Welshmen - - Charles Williams and Ryan Davies.

0:17:59 > 0:18:04- I was fortunate enough - to see both performing live.

0:18:04 > 0:18:06- I love meeting old characters.

0:18:06 > 0:18:09- Do you know - who makes me laugh the most?

0:18:09 > 0:18:12- People who make mistakes - when they speak.

0:18:13 > 0:18:18- His stories, as jokes, they aren't - the funniest in the world...

0:18:19 > 0:18:22- ..but what's funny - is the way he tells them.

0:18:22 > 0:18:23- The delivery.

0:18:24 > 0:18:27- He grabs your attention - and builds the tension.

0:18:27 > 0:18:33- His timing, when he delivers - the punchline, is perfect every time.

0:18:34 > 0:18:37- "Roberts, how are you?" - "Very well, Charles."

0:18:37 > 0:18:41- "We had a bad night last night." - "Why, what happened?"

0:18:41 > 0:18:46- "Dear old Mary Williams. She called - for the amble-bus during the night."

0:18:47 > 0:18:49- "Is that so? - To take her to the hospital?"

0:18:50 > 0:18:53- "Yes. She went to the hospital - in the amble-bus."

0:18:53 > 0:18:57- "What was wrong with her?" - "She thought she had Glad-stones!"

0:18:58 > 0:19:03- I also remember Ryan performing - at Glantraeth many years ago.

0:19:05 > 0:19:08- He was a different sort of comedian.

0:19:08 > 0:19:10- He had all sorts of different skills.

0:19:10 > 0:19:14- Charles was a great actor...

0:19:14 > 0:19:18- ..but Ryan was also - a very talented musician.

0:19:18 > 0:19:22- I remember hearing him - singing songs...

0:19:22 > 0:19:27- ..and verses - and making them humorous.

0:19:27 > 0:19:30- He also created - different characters.

0:19:30 > 0:19:34- He created the female character - - I can't remember her name.

0:19:35 > 0:19:37- She reminded me - of an old aunt I had.

0:19:37 > 0:19:40- I remember thinking - how clever he was...

0:19:40 > 0:19:43- ..using additional elements - to create comedy.

0:19:45 > 0:19:47- Oh, no, don't laugh.

0:19:47 > 0:19:49- I've washed my hair.

0:19:49 > 0:19:55- Creating comedy using a character - is fascinating.

0:19:55 > 0:19:59- I've had success with PC Leslie - Wynne. People are very fond of him.

0:20:03 > 0:20:06- It all started - with the sketch shows - Mawr.

0:20:07 > 0:20:10- Then I thought about the character.

0:20:10 > 0:20:16- At the time, Richard Brunstrom was - the Chief Constable of North Wales.

0:20:18 > 0:20:20- He was a very chequered character.

0:20:20 > 0:20:26- I wondered what it would be like - if he had a right-hand man for PR...

0:20:26 > 0:20:30- ..and called him "the caring face - of North Wales Police."

0:20:30 > 0:20:35- I managed to create the conflict - which is integral to comedy.

0:20:35 > 0:20:37- Turning the idea on its head.

0:20:37 > 0:20:42- Take the character - a naive, - camp man...

0:20:42 > 0:20:47- ..and place him - in the harsh, real world.

0:20:48 > 0:20:50- If we move down to the groin...

0:20:50 > 0:20:53- I regret not paying attention - in biology lessons.

0:20:54 > 0:20:58- I placed the character - in situations such as a drug raid...

0:20:58 > 0:21:02- ..letting my imagination run wild, - a sketch would write itself.

0:21:02 > 0:21:06- I imagined Leslie Wynne knocking on - doors calling, "Yoo-hoo, anyone in?"

0:21:07 > 0:21:09- I think people enjoyed it.

0:21:09 > 0:21:10- Any questions?

0:21:11 > 0:21:13- She wants to know - if he has a brother.

0:21:17 > 0:21:20- It's great seeing him in action.

0:21:20 > 0:21:24- I sit in the wings watching him - and he's full of energy.

0:21:24 > 0:21:29- He'll come off and say, - "I wasn't good enough."

0:21:29 > 0:21:32- He is a perfectionist.

0:21:33 > 0:21:35- With me...

0:21:35 > 0:21:37- ..I just want to do it and go home.

0:21:38 > 0:21:42- I just sweat it out - and hope it goes OK.

0:21:42 > 0:21:45- I can't imagine not performing.

0:21:46 > 0:21:51- I often travel to gigs and say - to myself, "Why are you doing this?

0:21:51 > 0:21:54- "Why can't you find a normal job...

0:21:54 > 0:21:58- "..which starts at 8.30am, - finishes at 5.30pm with weekends off?

0:21:58 > 0:22:01- "It would be so much easier."

0:22:01 > 0:22:05- And it would be - but this has a particular appeal.

0:22:05 > 0:22:09- I think I just like the attention.

0:22:14 > 0:22:16- I do like the praise.

0:22:17 > 0:22:19- That's what laughter is.

0:22:21 > 0:22:27- It's as if someone's saying, - "Oh, you're good, you're so clever."

0:22:28 > 0:22:31- That's what laughter is all about - - someone massaging your ego.

0:22:32 > 0:22:34- All performers have an ego.

0:22:39 > 0:22:43- I've yet to find a performer - who doesn't feel the same way.

0:22:43 > 0:22:46- We are an insecure bunch.

0:22:53 > 0:22:57- So, I have some - very fond memories of this studio...

0:22:57 > 0:23:00- ..just because - I can trace my story back...

0:23:01 > 0:23:05- ..to the moment I walked - in front of that audience.

0:23:05 > 0:23:08- A switch in my head - went on that night.

0:23:08 > 0:23:11- I remember thinking, - "Yes, I can do this."

0:23:15 > 0:23:17- Whatever I've tried to do...

0:23:17 > 0:23:19- ..and it was a pleasant feeling...

0:23:19 > 0:23:23- ..but I finally felt, - "Yes, I've found my place."

0:24:05 > 0:24:08- S4C Subtitles by Simian 04 Cyf.

0:24:08 > 0:24:09- .