Fflamau Penyberth tells the story of the 1936 arson attack on an RAF base near Pwllheli, a protest led by three members of Plaid Cymru – Saunders Lewis, Lewis Valentine, and D. J. Williams.
Their actions became a defining moment in the history of Welsh nationalism and are now being brought to the stage by OPRA Cymru in a new opera composed by Gareth Glyn.
Patrick Young, founder of OPRA Cymru, said: “We receive our core funding from the Arts Council of Wales and we are very grateful for that and other funding comes from charities, trusts and the sale of tickets at the box office.
“Fflamau Penyberth will cost around £170,000 to produce and we anticipate a shortfall of around £15,000 which is why we’ve set up this crowdfunding appeal.”
The opera will be performed at the Memo Arts Centre in Barry on November 27 as part of a tour across Wales.
It marks the 90th anniversary of the protest, which saw the three men set fire to buildings at RAF Penrhos.
After the attack, they surrendered to police in Pwllheli and were later sentenced to nine months in prison at the Old Bailey.
The opera tells their story in three acts, beginning with one of the three men in a prison cell and unfolding through a series of flashbacks.
It will premiere at Neuadd Dwyfor in Pwllheli on November 19 before touring venues including Rhosllannerchrugog, Bangor, Swansea, Brecon, and Aberystwyth.
The production and its crowdfunding appeal have already attracted support from prominent figures, including former Plaid Cymru president Dafydd Wigley and internationally acclaimed harpist Elinor Bennett.
Ms Bennett said: “This is a worthwhile cause.
“It is an event I first heard about from my father who was at Caernarfon to welcome the three men after their release from prison.
“My father was very passionate about the incident recognising they had committed a criminal act but believed it to significant and far-reaching.”
OPRA Cymru, founded in 2008 by Mr Young, has presented several operas in Welsh since its debut performance in Pontrhydfendigaid in June 2009.
Those who wish to make a contribution to the production can do so online.
