THE DYLAN
Boisterous, vivid and intense, Dylan Thomas
THOMAS
is Wales’ finest poet. Laura Johnson takes
a look at this month’s Dylan Thomas Festival
FESTIVAL
in Swansea, which aims to celebrate Dylan’s
works and influence
T
he Dylan Thomas Festival is a celebra- made light of these, once stating: “An alcoholic is broadcast of Dylan’s hit Under Milk Wood. But the
tion of Wales’ most well known poet Dylan someone you don’t like, who drinks as much as you fun doesn’t stop there. There is a long list of perform-
Thomas. The festival is being held in do.” He admitted to liking the taste of whiskey, but it ers for the festival which includes Cerys Matthews,
Swansea in none other than The Dylan is often thought that the amount of alcohol he actu- Nigel Jenkins and Rhian Edwards.
Thomas Centre from Mon 26 Oct-Mon 9 Nov. It is ally consumed was very much exaggerated. In addition to the main festival, Swansea also hosts
the 12th annual event of its kind and is being held in Since his death Dylan has been remembered in many the Dylan Thomas Fringe Festival. The Fringe Festival
honour of Aeronwy Thomas Ellis, the only daughter of different ways. There is a statue of him in Swansea’s provides a platform for up-and-coming performance
Dylan and Caitlin Thomas, who sadly died in July this maritime quarter as well as a rock engraved with the artists from South-West Wales. Previous years have
year. Aeronwy was a great supporter of her father’s words from his poem Fern Hill dedicated to him in boasted performances by Rob Brydon, Jimmy Carr,
work and legacy and it is fitting that her memory be Cwmdonkin Park, Swansea. In 1982 a plaque was Harry Hill and Ardal O’Hanlon. Through its con-
celebrated alongside his. placed in Poet’s Corner in Westminster Abbey in his nections with Swansea Metropolitan University, the
Dylan Thomas was born in Swansea on Oct 27, 1914. memory, a great honour for any poet. Swansea Fringe Festival nurtures and develop new
He died at the age of only 39 in 1953 in a hospital in In 2004 Thomas had a literary prize named after him talent. It runs for the same two weeks as the Dylan
New York. During his lifetime Dylan recorded over 200 and, a year later, the Dylan Thomas Screenplay Award Thomas festival and this year has an extremely eclec-
broadcasts for the BBC, the greatest of which was his was created. The prize is given by the Dylan Thomas tic mix of acts for your viewing pleasure. The band
radio play Under Milk Wood for which he received Centre every year at the Swansea Bay Film Festival. Owls provide the musical entertainment on Thurs 29
widespread acclaim and to which most of his success Although it is held in his honour, the Dylan Thomas Oct and the Music And Comedy Finale will be held on
can be attributed. Festival 2009 is not only about Thomas’s work; it is Sun 8 Nov, the penultimate day of the festival.
Dylan was unfortunately not always the topic of also about that of those who inspired him, his friends The entire event is definitely a must for fans of
discussion because of his literary works. His personal and his contemporaries. Dylan’s work. Its proprietors have ensured that Dylan
life was often a source of great scandal. Despite The festival will involve a mix of prose, drama, poetry, Thomas has not gone gently into that good night; he
marrying wife Caitlin MacNamara in 1936, and later exhibitions and talks, and will feature at least one will never be forgotten, and rightly so.
having three children with her, there were often special guest a day. As promised there will be events
rumours circulating of affairs on both sides of the revolving around other writers, including Lynette Dylan Thomas Festival, Dylan Thomas Centre,
marriage. Also, his career was plagued by rumours Roberts and Alun Richards. There will also be a cel- Mon 26 Oct-Mon Nov. Admission: varies. Info:
and accusations of alcohol addiction, though Thomas ebration of Richard Burton, who appeared in the first 0172 60 /
www.dylanthomas.com
BUZZ 10
october 2009.indd 10 25/9/09 15:12:44
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80