Dylan Thomas’ famous ‘play for voices’ Under Milk Wood is now well over sixty years old. First commissioned as a radio drama by the BBC, there have been numerous stage versions as well as a hand-full of films. Celebrated Welsh voices such as Richard Burton, Siân Phillips and Ruth Madoc have performed some of the characters and a more recent TV version starred Michael Sheen, Tom Jones and Charlotte Church. The piece is full of idiosyncratic individuals from the fictional seaside town of Llareggub who guide us through their day. The young players of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School have chosen this much-loved grand old master to showcase their voices and talents during a tour of the West Country, which started at the Backwell Playhouse last night.
Director Christopher Scott sets the play in the Sailors Arms of Laugharne; two tourists come in to savour one of Dylan Thomas’ legendary watering holes and are subsequently drawn from this casual pub scene into the world of Llareggub, as the pub’s locals file in and transform into the mob of personalities who populate the play. With this neat manoeuvre we get a sense of Dylan’s original purpose in celebrating the people and places of his life. The script is witty, evocative and lyrical; and the young voices of the cast bat the lines around smartly to each other like a dozen or more tennis players at practice. They smile and frown, laugh and sing; they seem to cajole and embolden each other as the play goes on. They lean forward, willing the audience to believe and engage; at one point five actors present themselves like a rugby scrum over the pub table. The words flow and each actor gives a good account of his or her lot; most playing several parts as well as taking turns with the descriptive dialogues of the famous First Voice. From the cast of 14 a few stand out: Stephanie Booth is relaxed and confident as Mrs Organ Morgan and Lily Smalls; Ioanna Kimbook is mature and convincing in her roles; James Bradwell shows his aptitude as, amongst others, Mr Edwards, Rev Eli Jenkins and Cherry Owen; and Felix Garcia Guyer brings gravitas to Captain Cat.
Subtle lighting changes notify the passing of the day, from early morning through to evening; the set is convincing and well-constructed; and the Welsh accents are more than acceptable. The newspapers and knitting scattered on the tables lend a homely feel. The play improves as it goes along and, as the tour itself progresses, I can see that pace and timing will refine. The youngsters seem to be enjoying themselves on the crowded stage (especially as the children and animal cameos) and there are some interesting musical interludes. Fans of the play and Dylan Thomas won’t be disappointed and casual theatre goers will get an honest and diverting couple of hours of entertainment. ★★★☆☆ Adrian Mantle 2nd June 2017
FULL TOUR AND BOOKING DETAILS
JUNE
BACKWELL PLAYHOUSE, NORTH SOMERSET
Thu 1st 7.30pm 0117 973 3955
Fri 2nd 7.30pm 0117 973 3955
Sat 3rd 2.30pm 0117 973 3955
Sat 3rd 7.30pm 0117 973 3955
THE DAVID HALL, SOUTH PETHERTON
Tue 6th 7.30pm 01460 240340
THE THEATRE, CHIPPING NORTON
Wed 7th 7.45pm 01608 642350
BRIDPORT ARTS CENTRE
Thu 8th 7.30pm 01308 424204
WEDMORE VILLAGE HALL
Fri 9th 7.30pm 01934 713009
TOWN HALL, DULVERTON
Sat 10th 7.30pm 01398 323818
THE LITTLE THEATRE, WELLS
Tue 13th 7.30pm 01749 672280
REGAL THEATRE, MINEHEAD
Wed 14th 7.30pm 01643 706430
THE BEEHIVE, HONITON
Thu 15th 7.30pm 01404 384050
THE COURTYARD, HEREFORD
Fri 16th 7.30pm 01432 340555
ARMSTRONG HALL, THORNBURY
Sat 17th 7.30pm 01454 412272
WHARF THEATRE, DEVIZES
Tue 20th 7.30pm 01380 725944
TACCHI-MORRIS ARTS CENTRE, TAUNTON
Wed 21st 7.30pm 01823 414141
CORNERSTONE ARTS CENTRE, DIDCOT
Thu 22nd 7.30pm 01235 515144
FRAMPTON VILLAGE HALL
Sat 24th 7.30pm 01300 320607
OR BOOK ONLINE HERE: CLICK HERE
THE EXCHANGE, STURMINSTER NEWTON
Sun 25th 7.30pm 01258 475137
OR BOOK ONLINE HERE: CLICK HERE
CORN EXCHANGE, NEWBURY
Tue 27th 7.30pm 08455 218218
TIVOLI THEATRE, WIMBORNE
Wed 28th 7.30pm 01202 885566
THEATR BRYCHEINIOG, BRECON
Thu 29th 7.30pm 01874 611622
JULY
PHOENIX, EXETER
Mon 3rd 7.30pm 01392 667080
PARABOLA, CHELTENHAM
Tue 4th 7.30pm 01242 707484
Wed 5th 2.30pm 01242 707484
COTSWOLD PLAYHOUSE, STROUD
Thu 6th 7.30pm 0333 666 3366
