BOGDANOV'S UNDER MILK WOOD STARTS UK TOUR IN SWANSEA

The acclaimed theatre director Michael Bogdanov's new production of Under Milk Wood began its UK tour in Swansea's Grand Theatre on 8th October 2003.

The production starred Matthew Rhys as First Voice. Rhys who rose to fame playing opposite Kathleen Turner in the West End production of The Graduate follows some famous people in the role including Dylan himself and Richard Burton.

The main feature of the set is a like large wedge of cheese! The movement of the actors within that set and the skill of Bogdanov in using just nine actors to play sixty three parts was evident throughout. This was a masterly presentation of an old classic in a new coat

The production moved on to Cardiff the following week and the rest of the UK in the New Year.

Dylan Thomas International Creative Arts Competitions 

Launched in September are the Dylan Thomas International Creative Arts Competitions which are expected to bring in a strong entry as well as boosting the tourist trade in Swansea in the run up to the events which will mark the 50th anniversary of Dylan Thomas' death on 9 November 1953.

There are also Art and Sculpture competitions and a Short Story competition which are open to all ages.

The Competitions are part of the Clyne Farm Centre Community Awareness Programme. Proceeds in aid of British Heart Foundation and Singleton Hospital Cardiac Rehab Unit. This unit provides a vital resource to people in the South West Wales area who are recovering after a heart attack with practical advice on diet and exercise.

The competition was a great success and the results have now been announced see here

POET'S DAUGHTER HONOURED BY UNIVERSITY

Dylan Thomas' daughter Aeronwy Thomas has been honoured with an Honorary Fellowship by Swansea University.

She is quoted in the university's alumni newsletter as saying that she was accepting the honour as much for her father and her grandfather as for herself.

“The first thing I thought was ‘about time, too’ – not on my behalf but on my father and grandfathers’ behalf,” said Ms Thomas.

“My grandfather, D. J., was a literature teacher at Swansea Grammar School. There was talk of him having a fellowship but it never happened.

The full story is on http://alumni.swan.ac.uk/news/news_item.asp?news_id=370

DEATH OF DYLAN THOMAS CHAMPION

Gilbert Bennett - the President of the Dylan Thomas Society who died in February 2003 was a leading light in the promotion of Dylan's work. He will be remembered by many as a schoolteacher.

I remember him, in particular, as a broadcasting colleague on both Radio Wales and Swansea Sound who gladly gave his advice to a raw newcomer and whose eloquent match reports turned even a dull game of rugby on a wet, windswept November afternoon into a work of art.  gh

For an obituary from Dunvant Male Choir click here