Dylan Thomas Week
Hello Everyone,
Living and studying in Wales means that you learn about Welsh culture. Arguably a big literary icon for Wales is Dylan Thomas who was born here in Swansea.The 2nd annual International Dylan Thomas Day or ‘Dylan Day’ (14th May) supported by Literature Wales is on the horizon.
So 5 Cwmdonkin Drive (Dylan’s birthplace in Uplands) has a very special week to celebrate. They will host a variety of eclectic events which include a plethora of arts events – from poetry, creative writing, painting and performance. Listed below are a taste of what has been organised for Dylan Day:
Friday 6th May, 7pm-9pm
On the evening of Friday 6th May, local artist Jeff Phillips will host an evening at the birthplace of Dylan Thomas, where he will discuss the fascinating creative journey involved in producing a wonderful set of images (which will displayed at the event). The original artwork will also be available to buy and collect after the exhibition.
Launch evening tickets cost £8 and include light refreshment. Details are included at the end of this post.
Wednesday 11th May, 7pm-9pm
On 11th May, the launch of Ugly Lovely a new book will take place. This work combines the insightful observations of Ken Blakemore with the evocative sketches of Bill Bytheway. Ken will read some of the extracts that were inspired by the prose of Dylan Thomas and Bill will talk about his experiences of sketching places and people in Swansea.
During the ‘Ugly, Lovely’ event, they shall also be launching the new Dylan inspired ‘Prince of the Apple Towns’ double CD.
Tickets are priced at £8 and include light refreshments.
Saturday 14th May, starts at 9.30am
To mark International Dylan Day, Lighthouse Theatre and Telesgop Productions present Dylan Thomas’ classic broadcast as a promenade performance, on the streets of Swansea which inspired it.
The show lasts about two hours, starting at Castle Square at 9:30am and ending at 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, the birthplace of Dylan Thomas (with entrance to the birthplace included.) Approximately a 1.5 mile walk
Tickets are priced at £8. Telephone: 07801 418 135 or email lighthousetheatreltd@gmail.com
Includes a souvenir programme. For more information, visit or www.lighthouse-theatre.co.uk.
Stars of the 2014 BBC Series ‘Ugly, Lovely Swansea: A poet on the Estate’ will perform live and launch a new video of poetry shot in various rooms at the birthplace of Dylan Thomas. The poets also have a book out ‘No Apologies Anfologie’ which will be available to buy on the night.
Tickets are priced at £3 and include light refreshments. Buy now or by calling 01792 472555.
During the Poets on the Hill event, they shall also be announcing A Garden for Dylan, the launch of a major legacy project to create an Edwardian rear garden at 5 Cwmdonkin Drive.
The competition will be open to amateur and professional garden designers of all ages based in the UK. The Chief Judge will be BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time panelist Matthew Biggs.
6:00pm – 8:00pm
The Garage Players team up with the Birthplace to present a series of playlets set in and around 5 Cwmdonkin Drive including new and unique insights into Dylan’s 23 years living in the house and the inspiration for him to produce a vast proportion of his published work.
Tickets are priced at £5.00 and include light refreshments. Buy now or by calling 01792 472555.
The Literature Wales supported International Dylan Thomas Day or ‘Dylan Day’ as it has become known takes place once again on 14th May (the date that Under Milk Wood was first read onstage at 92Y The Poetry Centre, New York in 1953.)
The day is a day to celebrate the life, work & legacy of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Join an official event, stage your own, or pay your own personal tribute on the day.
For the current list of scheduled events please visit www.literaturewales.org/dylan-day.
For tickets click on this link https://www.tickettailor.com/checkout/view-event/id/51822/chk/9aaf/
Or by calling 01792 472555. Also the organisers are keen for you to follow the Dylan Day social media pages on Twitter & Facebook. Remember to use and search the hashtag #DylanDay on social media!
I had a very Welsh experience involving Dylan Thomas. I was in North Wales for data collection and on the way back my colleague and I were driving past Snowdonia with readings from Dylan Thomas playing on the radio. For someone who is not overly familiar with the works of Dylan Thomas, his prose is celebrated and it really gives you a feel for Swansea and Wales. So why not make the most of the forecasted nice weather (fingers crossed, this is Wales afterall) and learn a bit more about the arts scene in and around Swansea and the life and works of Dylan Thomas.
Thanks for reading!
