The uninitiated among the non-British readers of this blog may think that the footballer Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) and the acting legends Richard Burton and Anthony Hopkins are “from England”. You would however, be wrong. They are all as Welsh as Swansea. We non-Brits often forget that there are three countries the main island of Great Britain: From North to West-Southwest: Scotland, England and Wales.
The greatest Welsh poet and writer in the English language is Dylan Thomas (1914 – 1952). As this year is the 100th anniversary of his birth, the Clwyd Theatr Cymru, decided to tackle his poetic, comic “play for voices” Under Milk Wood, which Dylan had completed and premiered in Manhattan shortly before his death in 1952. This new production is directed by Terry Hands.
Under Milk Wood acquaints us with the dreams and lives of the inhabitants of the fictional, though perhaps not totally untypical Welsh fishing village of Llareggub. Although the name sounds authentically Welsh is the anagram of the rather rude English expression “bugger all”. We follow the Llareggubians from nightfall to nightfall over a 24 hour period and are helped by two all-knowing narrators giving us access to all aspects of the villagers' inner, home and social lives.
This production brings Dylan Thomas masterpiece to life in multiple layers. You could close your eyes, forget the meaning of the words as they flow from the mouths of the actors to your ear, listening only to their tonality; a symphony of sound unfolds which all by itself conjures up the rough, green and rocky coastal village landscape of Llareggub and its curious inhabitants. In another layer, phrases and sentences express, in turn, joy, laughter and melancholic desire in a firework of alliterative reinforcements and juxtapositions.
This production adds the direction and acting, which furnish each character with the body language perfectly matched to voice and interaction. Martyn Bainbridge's simple but imaginative set, colourful and spiralling, gives the play a sense of place.
Under Milk Wood is performed here by an excellent acting ensemble made up of strong characters on and probably off stage as well. The cast brings Dylan Thomas’ iconic village to life, both in their personal eccentricities and in the full range of their interactions. The actors clearly are enjoying themselves on stage and that enjoyment communicated itself to a Swansea-audience delighted and proud of their national poet's work being presented by an excellent Welsh theatre company. Owen Teale and Chris Patterson as first and second voice, respectively, stand out. Polly Garter’s (Katie Elin-Salt) pitch perfect a-cappella singing is breath taking.
This production of Under Milk Wood tours Britain from now until summer the summer. The dates can be found by clicking on the link shown below. It’s more than worth the trip. Whatever you do, don’t miss it!
http://www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk/en/whats_on/event/33166
The greatest Welsh poet and writer in the English language is Dylan Thomas (1914 – 1952). As this year is the 100th anniversary of his birth, the Clwyd Theatr Cymru, decided to tackle his poetic, comic “play for voices” Under Milk Wood, which Dylan had completed and premiered in Manhattan shortly before his death in 1952. This new production is directed by Terry Hands.
Under Milk Wood acquaints us with the dreams and lives of the inhabitants of the fictional, though perhaps not totally untypical Welsh fishing village of Llareggub. Although the name sounds authentically Welsh is the anagram of the rather rude English expression “bugger all”. We follow the Llareggubians from nightfall to nightfall over a 24 hour period and are helped by two all-knowing narrators giving us access to all aspects of the villagers' inner, home and social lives.
This production brings Dylan Thomas masterpiece to life in multiple layers. You could close your eyes, forget the meaning of the words as they flow from the mouths of the actors to your ear, listening only to their tonality; a symphony of sound unfolds which all by itself conjures up the rough, green and rocky coastal village landscape of Llareggub and its curious inhabitants. In another layer, phrases and sentences express, in turn, joy, laughter and melancholic desire in a firework of alliterative reinforcements and juxtapositions.
This production adds the direction and acting, which furnish each character with the body language perfectly matched to voice and interaction. Martyn Bainbridge's simple but imaginative set, colourful and spiralling, gives the play a sense of place.
Under Milk Wood is performed here by an excellent acting ensemble made up of strong characters on and probably off stage as well. The cast brings Dylan Thomas’ iconic village to life, both in their personal eccentricities and in the full range of their interactions. The actors clearly are enjoying themselves on stage and that enjoyment communicated itself to a Swansea-audience delighted and proud of their national poet's work being presented by an excellent Welsh theatre company. Owen Teale and Chris Patterson as first and second voice, respectively, stand out. Polly Garter’s (Katie Elin-Salt) pitch perfect a-cappella singing is breath taking.
This production of Under Milk Wood tours Britain from now until summer the summer. The dates can be found by clicking on the link shown below. It’s more than worth the trip. Whatever you do, don’t miss it!
http://www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk/en/whats_on/event/33166
Sadly, no London dates
ReplyDeleteRichmond Theatre is closest for London audiences
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