The Red Rogue of Bala – Theatr Clwyd

1913, with a war looming, we are transported to a dark, dingy pub where we are treated to stories of mischief and misdemeanours from scoundrel and rogue, John Jones. But all is not as it first seems. Written by Chris Ashworth-Bennion and directed by Dan Jones, we are taken on a journey of deceit, lies, “magic” and unusual friendships.

As we enter the Theatr Weston we are invited into the local pub, where the audience can buy a drink at the on-stage bar, sit in the pub and mix with the locals (cast) and join in with card games and conversations. We immediately feel involved as we are taken directly into this world and you become a part of it. With jolly music and frivolity, all is good and light, that is until the change in music and lighting and John Jones, otherwise known as Coch Bach y Bala, appears out of nowhere and the mood changes and the story begins.

Simon Holland Roberts leads the show as John Jones with power, anger, menace and a huge amount of comedy. Telling his tales of his past, escaping from prison, stealing everything that is not pinned down. But it’s tough to decipher whether his stories are true or whether he just wants the attention and fame. This role requires a huge amount of physicality and Roberts gives every ounce of energy to deliver this to perfection. Geraint de Carvalho is fantastic multi-roling as Francis Jones-Bateman and Tomos Pritchard, leaving the stage one way and with extremely quick changes, enters elsewhere as another character. Both roles are played with a great amount of naivety and vulnerability and both played excellently.

The pub is run by Heledd Pritchard and husband Sion Pritchard, played by Maxine Evans and Julian Lewis Jones and they both have their stories to tell, adding a huge amount of drama to the play, especially during the final scenes.

Qasim Mahmood plays Reginald Jones-Bateman very well, with the attitude of being better than everyone else but realising that even though he is well off, money doesn’t buy everything, and the world can come crashing down on him at anytime and it almost does.

Theo Woolford plays John Jones Jnr with love and hope, knowing his dad was never there for him but is the first to stand up for him and defend his name. Rhys ap Trefor as Constable Eifion Winstanley is brilliant, playing the local “village idiot” policeman but there is more to the character than meets the eye and we see this unfold near the end of the play. Wyn Bowen Harries as Herbert Jones-Bateman/Geraint Owen also multi-roles and plays both parts brilliantly and Mia Khan as Beatrice Jones -Bateman adds some more depth to the story, giving us some beautiful vocals too.

The set is designed by Mark Bailey and is fantastic. What seemingly looks like a normal pub becomes so much more, with little tricks and twists that the audience don’t expect and the way it has been created, to allow Coch Bach y Bala to appear from numerous places, becoming the Houdini he states he is, is genius. The costumes also by Bailey are wonderful, bringing the era to life. Lighting designed by Simisola Majekodunmi adds so much depth to the piece, drawing you in so subtly at times, you don’t realise it’s changed until you are so involved you start to notice the lighting changes. Sound by Johnny Edwards is so well done, adding more breath to the quiet times and making the piece feel even more real.

The Direction by Jones is top notch, keeping you fully invested in the story so fantastically written by Ashworth-Bennion.

For something based on a real-life person, told in ballads, plays and pub tales, it is wonderful to see this story of humour, defiance and tragedy being told in this way, seen by many and allowing the audience to decide for themselves whether the man was a villain or a hero.

The Red Rogue of Bala runs until Saturday 22^nd November with tickets available at www.theatrclwyd.com

Reviewer: Damian Riverol

Reviewed: 6^th November 2025

North West End UK Rating: