Early Passion for Performance
Although Iestyn Arwel briefly explored architecture, his passion for performing has been evident since his teenage years when he began acting with Theatr Felin Fach.
Today, he is a versatile artist appearing on stage, screen, and radio as an actor, singer, and writer.
"Dwi'n berson sy'n diflasu yn eitha hawdd," he said. "Felly os dwi wedi bod yn actio am bach, dwi falle'n symud i ganu am 'chydig, wedyn falle'n mynd i ysgrifennu am bach. Mae'n helpu i gadw'r diddordeb a'r sbardun 'na."
Latest Project: Ar Daith
His most recent work is the short comedy Ar Daith, available on digital platforms S4C and BBC . The series follows Carwyn, the presenter, as he travels across Wales while dealing with personal challenges.
Iestyn wrote the episode and stars as Carwyn.
Experience in Acting and Writing
While Iestyn is better known to some as an actor in series such as Rownd a Rownd, 35 Awr, and Death Valley, and as a member of the musical comedy group Cabarela, writing is not new to him.
He began writing to create characters he wanted to perform, noting early in his career the scarcity of Welsh roles that truly represented Welsh people.
"Mae pob actor Cymreig wedi ei wneud e ar ryw bwynt, sef chwarae rôl sydd ddim yn portreadu'r Cymry yn y ffordd orau. Mae wedi newid lot yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf, ond roedd 'na gyfnod pan o'n i'n dechrau mas, y cymeriadau oedd yn cael eu cynnig oedd rhywun twp Cymraeg.
"A pan mae rhent 'da ti i'w dalu, mae'n anodd iawn i gael egwyddorion!
"Hwnna yw un o'r rhesymau dwi'n ysgrifennu achos o'n i 'di diflasu. Ar ôl gwneud clyweliad ar gyfer hysbyseb lle o'n i ar fy mhengliniau yn mynd o amgylch y stafell yn canu Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau fel dafad, o'n i'n meddwl, mae hwn yn gorfod newid...!"
Comedy as a Core Element
From a drama performed at the Millennium Centre shortly after college to radio dramas on Radio Cymru and short series for Hansh, Iestyn has written extensively over the years but felt the need to refine his craft.
This led him to pursue a master's degree in creative writing, a pursuit that occupied his time and fulfilled his creativity during the lockdown period, especially after losing all his acting jobs overnight.
Although he expected to write television scripts, he discovered a passion for fiction and has completed approximately 5,000 words of his first novel.
He plans to work on it over the summer following the busy period of co-writing Cabarela's musical show for the National Eisteddfod and before the Christmas shows begin.
Despite writing across different genres, comedy remains a common thread.
"Fi'n meddwl fi'n trio clymu elfen o gomedi i mewn i bopeth fi'n 'neud. Ambell waith mae'r comedi'n dywyll iawn, ond mae dal ryw wrthgyferbyniad neu ryw elfen o sypreis sy'n comedic.
"Yn y bôn, mae'n defnyddio'r un mecanwaith â drama, yn yr ystyr bo' ti'n adeiladu tensiwn er mwyn torri tensiwn. Y chwerthin sy'n torri'r tensiwn, felly pa mor hir ti'n gallu gwthio hwnna?
"Fi'n trial dod ag elfen o gomedi mewn i bopeth, achos hwnna yw bywyd go iawn."
Writing Style Inspired by Real Life
His work is often inspired by real life, incorporating elements of people from his daily life into the characters he creates, as well as the way he hears those around him speak.
"Dwi ddim yn ofni defnyddio'r Saesneg tra dwi'n ysgrifennu pethau Cymraeg, achos dwi'n teimlo mai dyna yw realaeth lot o bobl. Does yna ddim llawer o bortreadau o'r math o Gymraeg fi'n meddwl mae pobl yn defnyddio.
"Mae fy nghymeriad fel comedïwr yn Cabarela yn chwarae ar y dwyieithogrwydd 'na.
"Mae 'na gymaint o ragfarnau sosio-ecomonaidd ynglŷn ag addysg i 'neud gydag acen a iaith a dwi'n ffeindio hynny'n rili diddorol. Dwi'n chwarae gyda rhagfarnau pobl am y math o berson ydw i, achos bo' fi'n siarad Saesneg gydag acen RP, diolch i'r coleg drama.
"Achos mae 'na gymaint o hiwmor mewn bod yn ddwyieithog. Mae'r elfen yna o sypreis gyda punchline jôc pan ti'n newid rhwng ieithoedd, yn sbesial."
Cabarela Celebrates 10 Years
The Cabarela group will celebrate 10 years of performing together next year.
Acting and Comedy Energy
Although he appears in more serious roles and finds playing villains easier, acting in comedy gives him an "incredible buzz," especially on stage.
"Mae'n rhyw fath o berthynas gyda'r gynulleidfa lle ti'n aros am y foment cywir i ddweud y llinell nesa' sy'n dod â'r don nesa' o chwerthin. 'Sai'n meddwl fod unrhyw deimlad gwell yn y byd.
"Mae 'na hefyd rywbeth mewn drama os ti'n gallu creu tawelwch gyda rhywbeth ti wedi ei ddweud. Mae e'r un teimlad. Ti 'di gneud i rywun feddwl am rywbeth. Fi'n cael rush o hwnna... fel mae pobl eraill yn ei gael o triathlons (rhywbeth 'na i byth wneud!)."
Future Ambitions
Enjoying moving between disciplines, Iestyn has many options to keep busy and happy. But what is his ultimate ambition?
"Beth fi rili moyn 'neud yw ysgrifennu ar gyfer teledu a bod yn showrunner ar y sioe. Ges i brofiad o 'neud hynny ar Ar Daith, ac roedd yn teimlo'n gywir, ac yn gyfforddus iawn. Mae'n swnio'n ridiculous am rywbeth gymerodd dau ddiwrnod i'w saethu, sydd ond tua 16 munud, am fod ar sianeli digidol, a falle byth am gael cyfres – ond 'naeth e newid bywyd fi.
"O'dd pawb mor garedig a chefnogol, ac mae cael pobl yn cefnogi dy syniad a dy helpu di i wireddu dy weledigaeth ar ei gyfer e, mae 'na rywbeth rili emosiynol am hynny. O'n i methu credu bod pawb mor gêm i chwarae sili bilis gyda fi!
'Naeth y profiad brofi i mi unwaith ac am byth ma dyna beth dwi moyn 'neud gyda fy mywyd."
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Also of Interest
- LISTEN: Triongl, a drama by Iestyn Arwel on BBC Radio Cymru
- Interview: Actor Iestyn Arwel
- Andrew Teilo: Actor, writer, musician
