Like most people I know something about Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood. Essentially I understand it to be a piece of prose for a myriad of voices, what I didn’t know it was a commissioned piece for radio
A poetical day in the life of the Welsh town called Llareggub (read it backwards) this stage version wisely projected the prose about the cast of eleven who were playing every character and scene with gusto and with an energy which was at times slightly exhausting they lived the sometimes bawdy words seemlessly together.
Slightly long at 2 hours 20 I was still happy with going and Theatre Clwyd is looking mighty fine after it’s refurb from 1970 Crome to rich 2025 larch wood and copper panels
It’s beautiful
Like you, I know snippets of Under Milk wood, but have never read it. I didn't know it was written for radio, either.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the production, in glorious surroundings. xx
The prose was so descriptive, it almost became all too much by the end
DeleteI studied Under Milk Wood for my school A Level in English Lit and absolutely loved it. Our teacher would play us the Richard Burton version. His voice made it come alive.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a piece that needs study, I said that to my friend in the interval
DeleteI've heard the title and author but nothing else about it. Am glad you enjoyed the long play surrounded by the lovely larch wood and copper panels.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
The warm look of the theatre makes for a better night
DeleteI love the name of that town. I suppose it would only work in Wales though.
ReplyDeleteDid you read it backwards ….Bugger all
DeleteThe Burton film was made in Lower Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, not far from me, and our English teacher took us to see the film when it was released - having made made us promise to avert our eyes at the naughty bits!
ReplyDeleteLipstick around the nipples
DeleteWho said nipples?
DeleteLee
Trust you
Delete3 martinis
DeleteA bit left field, but reading about llareggub, I was reminded of the newly weds moving into their first home, which they named "Ffometeg" which people imagined had some romantic Welsh connection... maybe the groom had proposed on some misty mountain . Until you read it backwards..
ReplyDeleteGetemoff……love it
ReplyDeleteOhhh I did read that backwards!
ReplyDeleteAnd over two hours? Hope the interval was at least twenty minutes!
XOXO
Yes and the village clock timed us, a nice touch I thought
DeleteI tried to watch the movie of "Under Milk Wood" with Richard Burton once but just could not get into it. Maybe it would be different now if it ever comes back on TV. I imagine it would be on the Golden Oldies station.
ReplyDeleteI get that ..I reall think it’s a prose that deserves study rather than watching in a theatre
DeleteTry the bbc version.Read by various actors. I had it on dvd. Tom Jones as Captain Cat. " let me shipwreck between your thighs". ooer missus.
ReplyDeleteUnder Milkwood is brilliant, but needs time to assimilate and return to, like all of Dylan Thomas' work. And also R S Thomas; but no relation.
ReplyDeleteI first became aware of UMW over 60 years ago and ever since then it's held a place of affectionate admiration within me. Seen it twice on stage, one being brilliant and completely faithful to the text, recited by about 8 actors, then another totally dire production, underlining the 'naughty' bits by over-exaggerating them in mime, just to get the audience to guffaw - which they did - but hopelessly missing the point of the gentle word-play.
ReplyDeleteAlso read it numerous times - in fact just last month was number umpteen! Also have the Richard Burton version on cassettes.
Currently reading Thomas' complete poems - formidably challenging, but rewarding - and so many of them! He wanted to be known as a poet above all. Such a tragedy that he died at the unfairly young age of 39 (alcoholism). Heaven only knows how much greater he COULD have become!
I used to have a 78 record of the great man himself reading it. Sadly now gone somewhere!
ReplyDeleteThe theater is your happy place, if only they allowed you to bring the dogs along for a snuggle.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed UMW many times, it hold a special place as its connected to the welsh village Cei Newydd/New Quay which I visit regularly.
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