Andrew Fisher lets us know about the great contribution his father made to drama, especially for the people of Llangefni.
"Born in Bargoed, Glamorgan, Francis George Fisher was educated at Lewis' School, Pengam, and at University College, Cardiff, where he graduated in mathematics and captained the University swimming team. For a short period he was a teacher in a missionary college in West Africa; then in 1932 a mathematics teacher at Llangefni Grammar School, latterly Llangefni County Comprehensive, becoming deputy headmaster until his sudden death.
George - he preferred his middle name - began writing in English, publishing his first novel, One Has Been Honest, at the age of 21 before his graduation in 1930. He wrote many poems and stories, published in The Adelphi and The Twentieth Century during the 1930s, before turning to drama.
His play The Disinherited was performed in Swansea's Little Theatre in July 1939.
Lieutenant Fisher served in the Navy during World War II and, while he was in Iceland, he learned Welsh from Caradar's booklet Welsh Made Easy. From that time, he was intent on writing plays in Welsh, mastering 'cynghanedd'. He wrote at least five short plays between 1945 and 1952 and three long plays: Catrin (first prize in the National Eisteddfod at Dolgellau, 1949), Y Ferch a'r Dewin (The girl and the wizard) (which shared first prize in the National Eisteddfod at Rhyl, 1953) and Merch yw Medusa (Medusa in a girl) (1951).
He also translated Andre Obey's play, Noa (1951). He produced thirty plays, twenty of these in Welsh, including all his own works and the memorably great productions of the plays of Saunders Lewis. He became a member of the Welsh Arts Council Drama Committee and was awarded the MBE for services to Welsh Theatre in 1958.
His most important contribution was arguably to ensure that Cymdeithas Ddrama Llangefni (Llangefni dramatic society) had a permanent home, with the opening of Theatr Fach in Pencraig, Llangefni on the 3 May 1955.".
'The rapid advance of Theatr Fach Llangefni to a leading role came through purposefully aiming at a higher level than just satisfying a creative urge latent in most communities'. Western Mail 20/9/1960.
He was made director of the theatre and realised his vision of an amateur theatre, regularly presenting plays of truly professional standard in Welsh and English. Theatr Fach celebrated its 50th anniversary in May 2005 and this is his monument.
FG Fisher's contribution to the theatre in Wales has been described as vital. Most surviving works and papers are retained in the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, in the archives departments in the University of Wales, Bangor and with the archivist in Llangefni. Others are sought for collection, preservation and to be made available to researchers. Can you help?"
Dramatist and mainstay of Welsh theatre.
