RUGBY legend Ray Gravell is the subject of a new one man show being staged by the Torch Theatre Company in the new year.

The show will open at The Torch Theatre, Milford Haven in February before embarking on a 19 date tour of Wales.

Raymond ‘Ray’ William Robert Gravell was a Welsh rugby union centre who played club rugby for Llanelli RFC. At international level, Gravell earned 23 caps for Wales and was selected for the 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa. In his later career, he became a respected broadcaster and occasional actor. Then, in October 2007 Gravell, a man who for many embodied what it is to be Welsh, died aged 56, after succumbing to complications resulting from contracting diabetes.

Known to millions for his legendary exploits on the rugby field, ‘Grav’ was and is so much more than that. An actor, a cultural icon, a father, a husband, a man with a life packed full of stories that deserve to be heard once more.

Written by Owen Thomas, Grav the play has been written with the blessing of Mari, Ray’s widow, and contributions from his Welsh and British Lions team mates.

Directed by the Torch Theatre’s artistic director Peter Doran, this one man show will explore the life of a man who was as compelling away from the rugby field as he was on it.

Peter said: “We have a plethora of rugby legends in Wales but Grav was so much more; it’s a story waiting to be told, how tragedy as a young teenager dictated and shaped the rest of his life – a fascinating story, a fascinating man!”

Performed by Gareth Bale (The Indian Doctor, High Hopes, Pobol y Cwm, Richard Parker, Bedroom Farce, Boeing Boeing, Neville’s Island, Up 'n Under, Bouncers), Grav will remind the world once more of a unique life well lived.

Grav runs at The Torch Theatre from February 4-14 and tickets are available from The Torch website or box office.

The tour will then take in: the Gwyn Hall, Neath; Welfare Theatre, Ystradynglais; Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli; Metropole, Abertillery; Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy ; Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan; Blackwood Miners’ Institute; Galeri, Caernarfon; Neuadd Dwyfor, Pwllheli; Theatr Harlech, Gwynedd; Rhyl Pavillion; Sherman Theatre, Cardiff ; Borough Theatre, Abergavenny; Theatr Felinfach, Ceredigion; and Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon.