S4C welcomes Wildflame Productions’ Second World War Evacuees

Evacuees/Efaciwis (w/t)

Welsh pubcaster S4C has commissioned a multi-format series exploring the civilian evacuations to Wales during the Second World War.

Produced by Welsh indie Wildflame Productions, Evacuees or Efaciwis in Welsh (w/t), will comprise a 4×60’ factual living history format for the main channel, an 8×30’ children’s series on S4C kids’ brand Stwnsh and two 60-minute documentaries.

The four-part living history format will be co-hosted by Good Morning Britain’s Sean Fletcher and news presenter Sian Lloyd, and will recreate wartime Britain in the remote rolling hills of north Wales. Taking non-Welsh speaking children from UK cities like London, Birmingham and Manchester, the series will see its contributors living the 1940s evacuee experience in rural Wales.

“None of the cast will speak any Welsh and most have never been to Wales before,” said Llinos Griffin-Williams, creative director of Wildflame. “Transported back in time to 1940s rural north Wales, they will have to face the same social and language challenges that their counterparts faced 80 years ago.

“We will draw on a range of experts and personal testimonies from real evacuees who lived through the experience to unpack the themes of wartime Britain and give a new context to the experiences young people faced at the time. It will undoubtedly be a very powerful series.”

The children’s series, which draws on the living history format, includes pop art graphic effects, testimonial and historical take-outs to provide a fun and informative look at the evacuees’ experience.

In the documentary segment, meanwhile, the first episode will contextualise the role of Wales during the Second World War, while the second episode will look at how Wales still offers shelter to those in need today, meeting modern-day refugees who have made a home for themselves across Wales and examining the challenges they face.

Griffin-Williams exec produces for Wildflame, with Iwan England directing and S4C’s commissioner for children’s and Welsh learners Sioned Geraint producing.

Amanda Rees, S4C’s director of creative content, said: “Efaciwis is an authentic experiment that combines elements of history and language. Our viewers will be able to follow the fascinating journey of eight children from English cities as they try to cope with Welsh life in pure Welsh communities. This commission will be one of our key upcoming campaigns with a range of specialist formats for children, insightful documentaries and digital supplementary content too.”