Cosi & Scratch 2025

In October 2025, the first Cosi & Scratch night was held at Pontio, in partnership with Craidd. The aim of the night was to showcase new works and ideas by four local artists, after developing ideas in our Studio theatre for a day. 

This is a great opportunity for artists to try out new works to a live audience, receive audience feedback with no pressure to develop the work further or produce finished work – the only requirement is to be allowed in a creative space and enjoying the process of creating and being creative. All artists had to be local, or have a connection to north-west Wales to apply.

The Artists

Following an open call for artists earlier in the year, and a selection process, four artists were chosen to present new works – Katie Gill, Gwen Thomson, Manon Gwynant and Iza Gem. For more information about the artists, please see below.

Gwen Thomson

Gwen is a multidisciplined theatre maker and award-winning film director known as a “theatrical Swiss army knife”. She began as a sound engineer at Royal Exchange, Manchester & STV before working in theatre and film as a technical manager, director, performer and dramaturge. Trained in clown, fooling and general idiocy, she aims to connect through laughter.

Gwen opened the evening with a clown and physical theatre piece, showcasing her experience as a performer by combining clowning, physical theatre and comedy into one piece with great characterisation, improv and humour. 

Iza Gem

Iza is a multimodal creative practitioner, performer and cofounder of Cyfunol, a performance research collective based in Porthmadog, Gwynedd. Taking inspiration from language and alternative modes of communication to explore notions of identity, history and community. By integrating reactive technology with accessibility in a movement-oriented practice, Iza wants to uncover and develop ways of cultivating inclusive spaces.

Iza presented an interactive piece that welcomed the audience on stage (literally). Blending folk singing, collective singing and intimate lighting to create a sensory experience in the Studio creating a calm and spiritual atmosphere.

Manon Gwynant

Manon is a writer and a creative practitioner with a passion for working with young people and communities. She is interested in researching the role of the arts in everyday life and within communities. The project ‘Troedio Tonnau’ was set up in 2024 and she hopes the project will grow into a Welsh artistic resource that will be of use to young people all over Wales. Manons favourite way of spending a lovely autumnal afternoon is t o wander the coastal paths of Wales, swim in the sea before snuggling up with a paned.

Manon presented a tender and emotive piece through spoken word in the form of Welsh and English poetry, accompanied by the soothing sounds of musician Henry Horrell.

Katie Gill

Katie is a comedian and writer based in North Wales. She has performed across the UK and at Machynlleth, Leicester and Greenman comedy festivals. This year, Katie, has supported Kiri Pritchard-McLean and George Lewis on their national tours.

Katie was Shortlisted as BBC New Comedian this year, and is creating her first full show.

Katie took inspiration from her personal life in here theatre piece, a one woman play with elements of comedy throughout. The immensely personal piece gave us an insight into Katie’s life, and the joy and laughter that we can find even during the toughest of times.

What's next ...

Our long term aim is to host an annual Cosi & Scratch event to support local artists and encourage the development of new works, trying something new and being creative without the pressure of having to develop the work further or present a ‘perfect’ piece.  We will be paying artists for their time, as well as providing a day in our Studio Theatre to develop the work and supported by our technicians.

Keep an eye out for our next open call!