Welcome to our round up of the latest Dylan Thomas news.

Under Milk Wood – Film – Screenings

Fresh from December’s news that director Andrew Sinclair has gifted the media rights to his 1972 film version of Under Milk Wood to the nation of Wales, the film will be screened at the Number 8 Arts Centre, Pershore, on the 1st February, and at Galeri Caernarfon on the 15th February. Andrew Sinclair will be in attendance at both screenings to discuss the making of the film.

A further screening is planned at the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester, March 22nd.

A Rumble In Mumbles

A row over the legacy of Dylan Thomas broke out in Mumbles when councillor Brian Arthur claimed that rather than celebrate the centenary of the poet in 2014 we should “wash our hands of him” and that “he is a bad role model for modern youngsters”. Fortunately some of Mr Arthur’s colleagues disagreed and distanced themselves from his comments.

What Under Milk Wood’s Alfred Pomeroy Jones, the Mumbles sea lawyer, would have made of it is anybody’s guess.

Dylan Thomas fans who visit Mumbles might like to follow the Dylan Thomas Mumbles trail.

Actor’s Christmas Spirit 

A more heart warming story emerged in the new year of how Welsh actor Michael Sheen read Dylan Thomas to guests during a surprise visit to a Christmas day lunch in Resolven.

Former Archbishop Accepts Dylan Thomas Society Role

Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, and now Baron Williams of Oystermouth, has accepted the role of honorary Vice President of the Dylan Thomas Society. Here’s Baron Williams talking about Dylan to Society Vice Chairman, Geoff Haden.

1930s Style Tearoom for Cwmdonkin Park

With Swansea destined to be at the centre of the 2014 centenary celebrations, Swansea Council announced plans to turn the cafe in Cwmdonkin Park, close to Dylan’s birthplace, into a 1930s style tearoom to evoke the spirit of the city’s old Kardomah Cafe where Dylan Thomas and his friends were regular visitors and became known as the Kardomah Boys.

Dylan on Dylan?

Geraint Davies, MP for Swansea West, has been in contact with Sony regarding the possible involvement of legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan in the Dylan Thomas centenary celebrations.  Sony Music have reportedly said that “Mr Dylan is thinking very positively about the idea”. Mr Davies raised the issue in parliament.

Bob Dylan, who was born Robert Zimmerman, has indicated that his choice of surname may have been influenced by his enthusiasm for the work of Dylan Thomas.

A Commemorative Tipple

Penderyn Whisky, the Brecon Beacons based distillery, have announced that they are planning to mark the Dylan Thomas centenary in 2014 by issuing literary themed products as part of their Icons of Wales series.

Dylan Mural for Swansea

Swansea based art charity LOCWS is planning to transform the city’s High Street with a Dylan Thomas inspired mural  by artist Pete Fowler.

Welsh First Minister’s Invitation to Irish President

On a recent visit to Ireland, Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones extended an invitation to President Higgins of Ireland to take part in the Dylan Thomas centenary celebrations in 2014. The First Minister commented “President Higgins is a friend of Wales and has visited the country many times.  As a poet himself, and a former Minister of Culture, he has an impressive knowledge of our literature and wider culture.  I informed the President of our plans to celebrate the centenary of Dylan Thomas’ birth during 2014 and invited him to play a personal part in those celebrations.  I will be following up this invitation more formally in the weeks ahead.”

Forthcoming Events

Rodney Bewes “A Boy Growing Up”

Former Likely Lad, Rodney Bewes, is touring his Dylan Thomas inspired one man show “A Boy Growing Up” from February. The show features a number of Thomas’s short stories.

Bob Kingdom  “Dylan Thomas – Return Journey”

Bob Kingdom takes his acclaimed one man show, Dylan Thomas – Return Journey, to three venues.

Under Milk Wood

A number of productions of Dylan Thomas’s classic play for voices are planned.

Kingshill House, Dursley – 8th February
Murray Memorial Hall, Georgeville, Quebec, Canada – 8th-10th February
Adelaide Fringe,  The Wheatsheaf Hotel, Thebarton, Adelaide, Australia 26th February – 7th March
Palace Theatre, Ontario, Canada 1st March – 2nd March
The Russett Players, The Hop Farm, Tonbridge, Kent – 8th & 9th March
Oxford Playhouse, Oxford 15th March – 16th March
Canberra Repertory Theatre, Australia 12th April – 27th April
Westacre Theatre, Norfolk 4th May

John Abbott College Dept of Professional Theatre of Montreal, Canada, are staging a production of Under Milk Wood at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. You can follow their exploits on twitter.

Dylan Thomas In Conversation & Performance – New Play to be staged

The new play “Dylan Thomas : In Conversation and Performance” by Sara John, will be presented by the Edinburgh Welsh Society at the Reid Memorial Church, Edinburgh, February 18th.

Musical Memorial for Dylan Thomas – Austin, Texas

The Nilsson Lecture in Contemporary Drama and Literature presents a Dylan Thomas musical memorial to mark the 60th anniversary of the poet’s death in 1953. At the Fine Arts Library Reading Room, Austin, Texas, February 20th.

 Laugharne Festival 

The annual festival weekend in the town that was the last home of Dylan Thomas takes place from the 5th-7th April.

Do Not Go Gentle Festival

The festival based in Dylan Thomas’s home suburb of Uplands, Swansea, that launched in 2012, returns in 2013, 1st-3rd November.

If you are planning a Dylan Thomas related event and would like to be listed on our blog, please contact us.

Painting by Brecon based artist Karin Mear that featured in her Under Milk Wood inspired exhibition “Under The Washing Line” held at The Hours Bookshop in Brecon in November.

Categories: News

Tags: arts, Dylan Thomas, events, literature, poetry, theatre, wales