New Dylan Thomas Celebration is Runaway SuccessTwo theatrical firsts in one week is quite a thing but the runaway success of the new Clyne Farm Open Air Theatre couple with a stunning new performance celebrating the life of Dylan Thomas - A Beast, an Angel and a Madman - have reinforced Swansea as a leading cultural venue.
Dylan fans were treated to two nights of a whistle stop journey through the life of Swansea's greatest son - thirty nine years packed into 92 minutes will always miss something out but Peter Richards' script captured just the right atmosphere of celebration. Peter also directed and played the role of narrator guiding a cast of experienced actors who played many different roles in a 'play' for voices using the stunning backdrop of Swansea Bay as their only props. David Dooley played Dylan Thomas - not in a way that mimicked the resonant voice of the poet but with a soft and melodic voice. Pam Longden switched effortlessly from an early cameo as the straight-laced Dylan's mother into a range of excerpts from Under Milk Wood as a perfect foil to her husband Mel who brought to life many of the favourite parts. Claire Novelli showed her range of talent as an actress as she captured Caitlin Thomas' spirit and frustration of a talented husband easily diverted into chatting and drinking. Delyth Jenkins' mastery of the Welsh harp added just the right amount of atmosphere particularly as she accompanied Mel Longden's chant of the Reverend Eli Jenkins prayer from Under Milk Wood. The clever script which intertwined extracts from Dylan's work with the view of other people of him and his family deserves a wider audience particularly during the 50th anniversary of Dylan's death. The venue though has arrived and will undoubtedly host further productions in the future - particularly if food - like the warming Welsh cawl served to everyone - and backing music from keyboard player Toby Dawes' Yellow Tangerine is a regular feature. |
