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CAERPHILLY
Caerphilly Castle’s past is illuminating



An amazing technicolour journey through centuries of love, hatred, bitter conflict, woeful destruction and ultimate restoration will be played out as Illuminata 2010 comes to Caerphilly Castle from 26 September until 8 October.

The castle's history will form the centrepiece of this light and sound spectacular, which will coincide with the Ryder Cup 2010. The project is the brainchild of Cadw, the Assembly Government's historic environment service, and world-renowned projection specialist Ross Ashton.

Caerphilly's Illuminata story begins in 1268 with the construction of the castle and features Llywelyn ap Gruffudd and Gilbert de Clare as they fight for supremacy and control of the castle with animations projected across the walls of the inner ward.

The final act sees the 4th Marquess of Bute entering the frame. It is 1928 and the Great Depression sees thousands out of work. The Marquess uses this pool of labour to start major restorations of the castle and the animations will shows drawings and antiquarian images that trace the story of the castle from ruin to the magnificent restored fortress that we see today. The final frames celebrate the role that the castle plays in the life of twenty-first-century Caerphilly, as part of events like The Big Cheese and Cauldrons and Furnaces.

Jayne Rowlands, Cadw's Head of Presentation, said, "We are excited to have such an international talent as Ross on board which promises to make Illluminata an event to remember and one which will be talked about for years to come."

Ross Ashton added, "Caerphilly Castle is an amazing venue and I feel very privileged to be the first person to be able to project on its walls. They provide a backdrop like no other for this special light and sound show."

More information on the Illuminata event can be found at www.cadwevents.co.uk Tickets are also available to buy from £5 through the Cadw events website, at Caerphilly Castle itself and via Ticketline UK www.ticketlineuk.co.uk