Sex, austerity and mugs of vodka: how the Greek myth Iphigenia became a Welsh-language film sensation Gary Owen’s 2015 play, Iphigenia in Splott, a modern adaptation of Greek tragedy set against the backdrop of austerity and poverty in working-class Cardiff, has been transformed into a Welsh-language film titled Effi o Blaenau. The film, directed by Marc Evans, relocates the story to Blaenau Ffestiniog, a former slate-mining town, emphasizing the importance of capturing authentic working-class Welsh culture. The adaptation highlights the enduring themes of social inequality and the impact of service cuts, resonating with contemporary audiences and the creators involved.

• Gary Owen’s play ‘Iphigenia in Splott’, initially staged in 2015, is a modern reworking of Greek tragedy focusing on poverty and social inequality.
• The play has been adapted into a Welsh-language film, ‘Effi o Blaenau’, with the setting shifted from Cardiff to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
• The film’s production emphasized the importance of being made in the Welsh language and capturing the essence of working-class Welsh culture.
• Director Marc Evans and writer Gary Owen discuss the play’s origins rooted in the austerity era and the personal experiences that influenced its themes.
• Actress Leisa Gwenllian, a native of north Wales, stars in the film and discusses the powerful experience of seeing herself represented on screen.
• The article touches upon the challenges faced in the acting industry regarding accessibility for working-class individuals and the decision to prioritize female department heads in the film’s crew.