Three plays by one of Wales' most original and innovative artists, Alan Osborne.

Edited by Gilly Adams & Dorien Thomas. Arranged by Dorien Thomas including Theatre of the Disturbed Districts with an introductory essay by Gilly Adams.

The Merthyr Trilogy ...

Bull, Rock and Nut Two ex-fighters and their manager gather in Luigi's cafe on the day of Johnny Owen's funeral. Life is an opportunity that hasn't arrived, they begin to talk of heroes and the town that deals hard chances."a most remarkable piece of theatre.. ...layered with meanings, violence and power." The Guardian

In Sunshine and In Shadow Vee's home is a work of art. She lives on the ugliest Council estate in Europe. Sanctuary is a bed and a family of mis-fits who crowd near to Vee's flame. This is her life."shot through with intensity and honesty, a powerful play." The Western Mail

The Redemption Song Mick is a designer of toys, a dreamer, and a dope-smoker. Bo-Bo and Bunny look after Mick, lend him money, push him drugs. Mick's new toy is worth a fortune, at least a thousand. He owes them."a stark uncompromising tragedy." The South Wales Echo

Alan Osborne was born in Merthyr Tydfil in 1942 and educated at Quakers Yard Grammar school. He boxed and swam competitively reaching National Youth Standard before studying at Newport College of Art.
His early career was devoted to education, he taught art and architecture in Oxford and London where he was involved in developing the Design and Technology syllabus. He returned to Wales in 1975 to teach at Afon Taf, Troed-y-Rhiw.
His dramatic work began with Plans for The Great Trapeze Act and was followed by Terraces, Johnny Darkie and his first major work Bull, Rock and Nut which won the Play for Wales competition in 1981 and began his long association with The Made In Wales Stage company. In Sunshine and In Shadow followed in 1985 with performances in Wales and London. Redemption Song, the final play in The Merthyr Trilogy was first performed in 1987. He has also written a number of successful television dramas including The Whistling Boy (1994) and The Beach Inspector (1996). A full retrospective of his work was staged by Made In Wales and performed at the Sherman Theatre in 1993. He has composed music scores to many of his plays and Give us the Flowers Now for the BBC Symphony Orchestra and a choral libretto, Spirit of Our Distant Fathers in Wales which toured with Brecon High School in the United States.
His art work has also revieved numerous exhibitions and is held in many private and public collections.
He lives in Cardiff.