Welsh Craft & Heritage
Bespoke Pit Checks for Welsh National Theatre
Neil Rayment | 22nd January 2026
Bespoke Pit Checks for Welsh National Theatre’s Playing Burton
At Neil Rayment Goldsmiths, we are a Cardiff-based designer-maker, creating bespoke metalwork and meaningful commissions rooted in Welsh heritage. One of our most rewarding recent projects was our collaboration with the Welsh National Theatre for their production of Playing Burton - a powerful piece of Welsh theatre celebrating identity, community, and craft.
As a business based in Wales, we’re proud to support national cultural projects that honour our shared history while creating something lasting for today.
Supporting Welsh Theatre & Storytelling
Founded in 2025 under the artistic direction of Michael Sheen, the Welsh National Theatre was established to champion bold, world-class theatre made in Wales. Building on the legacy left by the original National Theatre Wales, the company’s mission is to tell Welsh stories with authenticity, ambition, and cultural integrity.
Productions such as Playing Burton place Welsh identity at the heart of the work—making this collaboration a natural fit for us as a Welsh craft business working with heritage-led design.
What Are Pit Checks?
Pit checks were traditionally issued to Welsh miners at the end of a shift, acting as tokens of recognition, labour, and pride. Today, they stand as powerful symbols of Wales’ industrial heritage and working-class history.
For Playing Burton, the Welsh National Theatre wanted to reinterpret this tradition by commissioning bespoke pit checks to be awarded to the cast at each performance, recognising their dedication, teamwork, and contribution to the production.
Designing Bespoke Pit Checks in Wales
We designed and handcrafted each pit check with care, balancing historic reference with contemporary craftsmanship. Working closely with the theatre team, we focused on creating pieces that felt authentic, tactile, and meaningful - never mass-produced.
Each pit check was individually finished, ensuring every recipient received something personal and lasting, much like the original miners’ checks that inspired them.
Welsh Craft, Heritage & Collaboration
At Neil Rayment Goldsmiths, we believe craftsmanship is a way of preserving and sharing stories. This project allowed us to honour Welsh industrial heritage while supporting modern Welsh theatre and performance.
We’re proud to have contributed to Playing Burton, and honoured that our work was gifted to Matthew Rhys - celebrating Welsh creativity through both stage and craft.
If you’re interested in commissioning a bespoke piece rooted in heritage, story, or personal meaning, we’d love to hear from you.