Creative Practice
Dan is primarily a director for stage, with a track record of taking risks on new talent. Dan’s work is often described as taut, rhythmic and heartfelt. Having mostly worked on new writing - with a specific passion for new ways of presenting Welsh and bilingual new plays - Dan’s creative practice also includes producing, education and directing for screen and radio.
Theatre Director
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The Independent Socialist Republic of the Upper End of the Lower Breck Road
“What follows is a swift and sharp play that goes to many (some pretty violent) places you would not expect. Genuinely radical, it wears its heart on its rolled up sleeves, taking aim at the worst aspects of modern politics in a bellowing rallying cry” ★★★★ - The Echo
Written by Lawrence Quilty -
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Idle They Yammer
“What is most beguiling about Idle, They Yammer is that it resists the urge to be a didactic metaphor for the continuous churn of central Cardiff. Instead it blossoms into something far more elegiac and affecting” ★★★★ - The Guardian
Written by Matthew Trevannion
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The Effect
“The cast of four is terrific in Dan Jones’ taut revival, infusing this most cerebral of explorations with genuine heart” ★★★★ - The Stage
Written by Lucy Prebble
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The Awkward Years
“The Awkward Years is a powerhouse one woman show” ★★★★ - Whiplash Review
WINNER: Best Performer, The Stage Debut Award, 2019
Written by Matthew Bulgo
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Hela
“With exquisite directing decisions accompanied by brilliant acting the play was the cleverest bilingual production I have seen to date “ ★★★★★ - London Pub Theatres
WINNER: Best Touring Production, London Pub Theatre Awards, 2020NOMINATED: Best Writer, The Stage Debut Award, 2020
Written by Mari Izzard
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Huno
“Elegantly directed by Dan Jones on Ruth Stringer’s impressively waterlogged set... It speaks to a theatrical confidence and sophistication that frequently characterises The Other Room’s productions.” ★★★ - The Guardian
Written by Tamar Williams
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Blink
“Director Dan Jones makes the most of Porter’s warm and idiosyncratically funny script, finding humour in the frequent scene changes and pointing up the physical contrast between the actors” - British Theatre Guide
Written by Phil Porter
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The Man
“If this first production by the newly-formed Critical Ambition is anything to go by, this is one theatre company to keep a close eye on. With this shining gem of a show under its belt the sky is the limit” - Younger Theatre
Written by James Graham
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Constellation St
“The Other Room is the best thing to happen to Welsh theatre in yonks and Constellation Street encapsulates its many charms to perfection. Look, I’m not begging you to go see it, I’m begging you to go live it.” ★★★★ - Wales Online
WINNER: Best Production, Wales Theatre Awards 2016Written by Matthew Bulgo
(Co-Director with Chelsey Gillard) -
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All But Gone
“Poetic, powerful and devastating” ★★★★★ - Whiplash Reviews
”Refreshingly hopeful new writing in Cardiff” ★★★★ - The Sage
CHOSEN: British Theatre Guides, Production of the Year (Wales)Written by Matthew Trevannion
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An Audience with Milly-Liu
“Milly-Liu swears like a trooper, drinks like a fish and will happily defecate for you for the price of pint” ★★★★ - The Stage
WINNER: David Johnson Emerging Talent Award, 2022
Written by François Pandolfo
Theatre Producer
Working as Artistic Director and CEO of The Other Room, Dan has led or jointly led on dozens of theatre productions. From financial management to front of house, from fundraising to contracting, Dan has collaborated with staff, freelancers and partner organisations to produce the following productions.
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Dumpy Biscuit
“There’s a Welsh literary tradition of authentically reflecting working-class life through a lyrical lens – from Gwyn Thomas to Rachel Trezise, or onstage, Gary Owen and Bethan Marlow, leading the present-day commentators. Carpenter follows suit, their prose sizzling with earthy poetry. “ ★★★ - The Stage
Written by Holly Carpenter -
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Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again
“Humorous. Chaotic. Intense. Just a few of the words that came to mind in the first five minutes of Alice Birch’s play Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again, in Porters’ pub theatre The Other Room” ★★★★ - Buzz Magazine
Written by Alice Birch -
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Crave
“While this demonstrates the talent emerging in Wales, and is credit to both The Other Room and RWCMD for supporting young artists in this way, the work is indistinguishable from other productions in its quality” - Nation Cymru
Written by Sarah Kane -
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A Number
“the experience [is] as unsettling for us as it is for Salter, proving the expert power and perceptiveness of this exceptional play.” ★★★★ - The Reviews Hub
Written by Caryl Churchill -
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The Effect
“The cast of four is terrific in Dan Jones’ taut revival, infusing this most cerebral of explorations with genuine heart” ★★★★ - The Stage
Written by Lucey Prebble -
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Idle They Yammer
“What is most beguiling about Idle, They Yammer is that it resists the urge to be a didactic metaphor for the continuous churn of central Cardiff. Instead it blossoms into something far more elegiac and affecting” ★★★★ - The Guardian
Written by Matthew Trevannion -
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Hela
“With exquisite directing decisions accompanied by brilliant acting the play was the cleverest bilingual production I have seen to date “ ★★★★★ London Pub Theatres
WINNER: Best Touring Production, London Pub Theatre Awards, 2020
NOMINATED: Best Writer, The Stage Debut Award, 2020
Written by Mari Izzard -
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The Story
“Berry-Hart's writing is incisive and clever, V's officiousness provoking much nervous tittering, until the point at which it ceases to be amusing.” - British Theatre Guide
WINNER: Best Touring Production, London Pub Theatre Awards, 2020
Written by Tess Bery-Hart -
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Blink
“Director Dan Jones makes the most of Porter’s warm and idiosyncratically funny script, finding humour in the frequent scene changes and pointing up the physical contrast between the actors” - British Theatre Guide
Written by Phil Porter -
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Huno
“Elegantly directed by Dan Jones on Ruth Stringer’s impressively waterlogged set... It speaks to a theatrical confidence and sophistication that frequently characterises The Other Room’s productions.” ★★★ - The Guardian
Written by Tamar Williams -
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The Man
“If this first production by the newly-formed Critical Ambition is anything to go by, this is one theatre company to keep a close eye on. With this shining gem of a show under its belt the sky is the limit” - Younger Theatre
Written by James Graham
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Baba Joon
“Baba Joon is a wonderfully important exploration of the result of combining contrasting cultures and heritage from across Europe and Asia, whilst celebrating both“ - Institute of Welsh Affairs
Written by Lisa Zahra
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Constellation St
“The Other Room is the best thing to happen to Welsh theatre in yonks and Constellation Street encapsulates its many charms to perfection. Look, I’m not begging you to go see it, I’m begging you to go live it.” ★★★★ - Wales Online
WINNER: Best Production, Wales Theatre Awards 2016Written by Matthew Bulgo
(Co-Director) -
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All But Gone
“Poetic, powerful and devastating” ★★★★★ - Whiplash Reviews
”Refreshingly hopeful new writing Cardiff” ★★★★ - The Sage
CHOSEN: British Theatre Guides, Production of the Year (Wales)
Written by Matthew Trevannion -
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American Nightmare
“A refreshing, thought-provoking, intellectual thriller” ★★★★★ - Buzz Magazine
WINNER: Best Touring Production, London Pub Theatre Awards, 2020
Written by Matthew Bulgo
Education
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Loveplay
Organisation: UWTSD
Role: Director
Age Group: Higher Eduction (Level 6)Dan directed a production of ‘Loveplay’ by Moira Buffini with 3r ar students at UWTSD Camarthern.
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Richard III
Organisation: UWTSD
Role: Director
Age Group: Higher Eduction (Level 6)Dan directed a contemporary remaining of Shakespeare’s tragedy Richard III - holding a mirror to politics in the USA following Trump’s election as we here in Wales stare down the barrel of Brexit.
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100 - GCSE Resource
Organisation: Critical Ambition
Role: Director, DOP, Editor
Age Group: GCSE (Level 1 & 2)
Dan directed, and produced an educational resource for ERW (Education Resources Wales). It was a recording of a production of ‘100’ by Imaginary Body, at the Dylan Thomas Theatre, which is still used in schools in South Wales today.(Co-prouced with co-founder, Tom Myles)
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Work with Young People
Dan as led workshops for and taught hundreds of young people in and around South Wales; working with ages ranging from 5 - 21 years old; and for companies shuch as the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, National Youth Theatre Wales, West Glamorgan Youth Theatre Company, Sherma Youth Theatre, and many more.
Radio
The Garden Centre
It’s Beth’s first day working at Carmarthen Garden Centre after being suspended from university. It’s not exactly the perfect job but she needs to keep up the pretence, especially to her overprotective parents. Navigating her way through this customer-facing chaos, Beth is confronted by questions about her undiagnosed autism - and some pesky guinea pigs.
A Little Wander production for BBC Radio Wales.
Role: Director
Written by Lowri Izzard and Mari Izzard
Screen
Complimentary Biscuit
Ollie Bristowe is ready for anything his upcoming trip to Africa might throw at him; disease, famine, war, he'll take it in his stride. But when he is thrown together with well-meaning David - whose relentless obsession with biscuits threatens to ruin a day's fund raising - Ollie may well have met his nemesis.
A Critical Ambition production
Independant Short Film
Role: Director, Director of Photography
Chariot
Corrupt politician Len Lewys-Jones (Robert Pugh) is poised to win an historic by-election in post-Brexit Wales. His rival for the seat is principled but popular human rights lawyer Alice Cartwright (Helen Griffin), in a race which is drawing nationwide attention. Hyper ambitious, Len will do anything to secure a victory, even if it means betraying those closest to him…
A Tell The Donkey production
Independant Feature Film
Director / Producer / Writer: Rob Surman
Cast: Robert Pugh, Darren Evans, Kyle Rees, Nia Trussler Jones, Tom Myles, Rob Surman, Helen Griffin, Caroline Berry, Sarah Louise Madison, Keiron Self, Menna Trussler, Claire Cage.
Role: Creative & Editorial Consultant
Online
Constellation Street Online
“Zoom is by no means an actor’s ideal set-up, and the news currently offer little hope that theatres will open anytime soon. One can lament this situation and acknowledge that Constellation Street, despite the digital constraints its director, Dan Jones, had to take into consideration, is a strangely moving piece” - Wales Theatre Review
National Theatre Wales, BBC Arts, BBC Radio Wales, The Other Room.
Role: Director