Talk on Dylan and Under Milk Wood
Below are links to an audio version of the talk I gave on DT at Waterstones, Liverpool One in May 2014.
Part 1: Intro, Image and Influence Part 2: Opening to UMW
Part 3: How Dylan Wrote Part 4: Where did UMW come from?
Part 5: The Filmscripts Part 6: Dirty Dylan and celebrity
Part 7: Caitlin Part 8: Later themes and writings
Postscript to talk (pdf)
The hyperlinks below are some of the pieces of art I mention in the talk.
Below are links to an audio version of the talk I gave on DT at Waterstones, Liverpool One in May 2014.
Part 1: Intro, Image and Influence Part 2: Opening to UMW
Part 3: How Dylan Wrote Part 4: Where did UMW come from?
Part 5: The Filmscripts Part 6: Dirty Dylan and celebrity
Part 7: Caitlin Part 8: Later themes and writings
Postscript to talk (pdf)
The hyperlinks below are some of the pieces of art I mention in the talk.
Dylan Thomas in the Media
Dylan and Film/ Dylan in Film
Recommended films with some links (bless you YouTube)
Reuben Reuben - My favourite film. You'd have to get this on video (not available on dvd) but there are several clips on YouTube. The story of a fictional 'Scottish' poet, the film is based on the play by Peter de Vries about Dylan. As de Vries was a freind of DT it has some wonderful 'Dylanisms' in the script. Nominated for lots of awards, great performance by Tom Conti, first film role of Kelly McGillis, sadly forgotten by many.
On Wales: Green Mountain, Black Mountain - Dylan wrote lots of documentary scripts during the war, including this one. I prefer the poetry of 'Our Country', but I can't find that online. Or the sadly missing 'Is Your Ernie Really Necessary'. This one was temporarily blocked by the Welsh film board at the time as they thought Dylan wasn't 'Welsh enough'! Some of the documentaries are available to buy on DVD.
Three Weird Sisters, Rebecca's Daughters, The Doctor and The Devils - Three of Dylan's feature film scripts, produced after his death (only clips/ trailers I'm afraid). Three Weird Sister's DT wrote with others as an adaptation, but Rebecca and Doctor are 'Dylan originals'. Well worth a watch.
The Funeral of Dylan Thomas - A short clip for anyone who hasn't seen it, of Caitlin, Dan Jones and others at the funeral in Laugharne.
Dylan speaking - Not film, but for those who haven't heard Dylan as himself, here's a short clip from his talks of his 'normal' non-performance voice, and attempts at Irish, Welsh and cockney when reading poems. Available on the Caedmon box set which is brilliant.
Recommended films with some links (bless you YouTube)
Reuben Reuben - My favourite film. You'd have to get this on video (not available on dvd) but there are several clips on YouTube. The story of a fictional 'Scottish' poet, the film is based on the play by Peter de Vries about Dylan. As de Vries was a freind of DT it has some wonderful 'Dylanisms' in the script. Nominated for lots of awards, great performance by Tom Conti, first film role of Kelly McGillis, sadly forgotten by many.
On Wales: Green Mountain, Black Mountain - Dylan wrote lots of documentary scripts during the war, including this one. I prefer the poetry of 'Our Country', but I can't find that online. Or the sadly missing 'Is Your Ernie Really Necessary'. This one was temporarily blocked by the Welsh film board at the time as they thought Dylan wasn't 'Welsh enough'! Some of the documentaries are available to buy on DVD.
Three Weird Sisters, Rebecca's Daughters, The Doctor and The Devils - Three of Dylan's feature film scripts, produced after his death (only clips/ trailers I'm afraid). Three Weird Sister's DT wrote with others as an adaptation, but Rebecca and Doctor are 'Dylan originals'. Well worth a watch.
The Funeral of Dylan Thomas - A short clip for anyone who hasn't seen it, of Caitlin, Dan Jones and others at the funeral in Laugharne.
Dylan speaking - Not film, but for those who haven't heard Dylan as himself, here's a short clip from his talks of his 'normal' non-performance voice, and attempts at Irish, Welsh and cockney when reading poems. Available on the Caedmon box set which is brilliant.
Dylan and Music
There have been lots of cds and musical pieces written in tribute to Dylan or based on his works. here is just a small selection. Again only snippets to whet your appetite I'm afraid.
Stan Tracey's Under Milk Wood Jazz suite - A fantastic classic, always available on cd but newly available for download with narration from Donald Houston. Definitely worth the investment for this version.
In Memoriam Dylan Thomas - Igor Stravinsky's piece in memory of DT. Dylan collaborated on ideas for two operas with Stravinsky, and was on his way to stay with the composer to write the second at the time of his death.
Ralph McTell - One track here from the Boy with the Note, a musical drama about the last days of Dylan. A lovely play, though if you get chance try and track down the radio version rather than the cd, slightly different and better I think.
Words for the Dying - John Cale of Velvet Underground fame wrote an album of music based around Dylan's words. here is a track based on 'Do Not Go Gentle'.
There have been lots of cds and musical pieces written in tribute to Dylan or based on his works. here is just a small selection. Again only snippets to whet your appetite I'm afraid.
Stan Tracey's Under Milk Wood Jazz suite - A fantastic classic, always available on cd but newly available for download with narration from Donald Houston. Definitely worth the investment for this version.
In Memoriam Dylan Thomas - Igor Stravinsky's piece in memory of DT. Dylan collaborated on ideas for two operas with Stravinsky, and was on his way to stay with the composer to write the second at the time of his death.
Ralph McTell - One track here from the Boy with the Note, a musical drama about the last days of Dylan. A lovely play, though if you get chance try and track down the radio version rather than the cd, slightly different and better I think.
Words for the Dying - John Cale of Velvet Underground fame wrote an album of music based around Dylan's words. here is a track based on 'Do Not Go Gentle'.
Dylan Blog
On one of my other sites you can find the first of what will be several blogposts on facets of Thomas.
Dylan and Theatre
The Theatre Clwyd version of Under Milk Wood, directed by Terry Hands. Highly recommended.
On one of my other sites you can find the first of what will be several blogposts on facets of Thomas.
Dylan and Theatre
The Theatre Clwyd version of Under Milk Wood, directed by Terry Hands. Highly recommended.