Theatr Silures’ current South Wales tour of Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood comes to Caldicot Castle this Monday, August 28.
Under Milk Wood, Dylan Thomas’ only play was completed one month before his untimely death. It was inspired by the Welsh seaside towns he loved and where he lived for many years. The colourful characters of the play and the humorous banter of their everyday lives were drawn from Thomas’ witty observations of people he came across at Laugharne and Newquay. The action takes place throughout the course of a day in the life of a seaside town.
Theatre Silures’ formed three years ago from a group of local actors. Sharing a passion for Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood the group decided to stage it in minimalistic style relying on the ability of the cast to portray the lives and loves of the characters of a Welsh seaside town. To add a dimension of excitement. Director, Adrian Bevan decided that five actors should play the fifty roles with rapid character change throughout.
“When directing the play I wanted a production full of energy and excitement,” says Adrian, “As a result I decided that five actors should play all of the fifty or so characters of the play. This necessitates constant role, voice and costume change proving a real challenge for the cast and a sense of frenetic fun for the audience. The play is at once bawdy and comic and at the next moment deep and reverential taking the audience through a roller coaster of emotions. Obviously throughout the play are Dylan’s richly textured, evocative and beautiful words.”
Following initial performances at Newbridge Memo after its extensive renovation. Subsequent dates have seen the play received at local country houses and gardens before an invitation recently to take the production to Cornwall’s iconic Minack Theatre.
- Tickets for the performance at Caldicot Castle on August 28 at 6pm are available by phone on 01291 420241 during Caldicot Castle office opening hours (11.00-4.00) or from the castle cafe. Tickets are also available on the door although prebook to save. There is a wet weather option at the castle for this performance.
- There is also a further performance at Monmouth’s Savoy Theatre on September 9 at 7.30pm Tickets available by phone on 01600 772467 or via http://www.monmouth-savoy.co.uk