Notes on the playwright - Mark Ryan
Mark went to Dartington College of Arts to study music, which is where he first became involved in theatre; first as a musical director/composer and later as an actor/musician, contributing to many student productions. After graduating he toured with Horse and Bamboo in Scotland and Northern Ireland as a musician and puppeteer. After this, and for over twenty years, he worked as a playwright and composer for many companies in Wales and England, including Spectacle Theatre, Gwent Theatre, Theatr N’a Nog, Bara Caws, SNAP, Opera Cocktail and Equinox Theatre. His plays have been enjoyed by a wide range of audiences and he was gifted in writing for adults and children alike. Indeed, his play for 4 to 7 year olds, The Lazy Ant, won Best Production and Best Script at the International Children’s Theatre Festival in Shanghai in 2007. Branwen’s Starling was Mark’s first collaboration with Taking Flight and his final play. He died unexpectedly in January 2011.