Music Theatre Wales and Fio theatre company will present “The Trial of Dhegdheer” this June.

The new community opera was created in collaboration with residents of the Butetown and Grangetown neighborhoods of Cardiff and is set to take the stage on June 13, 2026, at Grange Pavilion in Grangetown.

The work is inspired by the Somali folktale of Dhegdheer, a cannibalistic ogress. The production is directed by Fio Artistic Director Mathilde López, with poetry and text by Ali Goolyad, music by electronic producer and songwriter Eadyth, musician and producer Ani Glass, and South African contemporary composer Robert Fokkens. The performance will feature a traditional Somali Buraanbur singing sequence led by Ifraax.

Gweneth Ann Rand stars as Dhegdheer. Local baritone Thomas Coltman joins the community cast as the Prosecutor.

“This opera will build on previous activity by Music Theatre Wales in the area, including magical showings of our Street Art Operas at Grange Pavilion and Loudoun Square in Butetown and performances of The Jollof House Party Opera at Grange Pavilion, but this time it is thrilling to see people from the area participating in and co-creating with this amazing artistic team a new and totally original opera,” said Music Theatre Wales Artistic Director Michael McCarthy, per an official press release.

There will be two performances on June 13 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.

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