Under Milk Wood

Welcome to the richly textured, dreamlike world of a Welsh fishing village named Llareggub--"Buggerall" spelled backwards. Its denizens include the postman and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Willy Nilly; the rabbit catcher, Mr. Waldo; and Captain Cat, who dreams of old voyages and past loves. Originally commissioned for BBC Radio, this last piece by Dylan Thomas before his death in 1953 is a natural fit for a fine ensemble cast led by Welsh natives Matthew Rhys and Kate Burton (daughter of Richard Burton, who starred in the original 1954 production). L.A. Theatre Works' live stage production brings out the magic in this playful and darkly beautiful drama. B.P. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine


Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, who completed Under Milk Wood, his poetic "play for voices," just weeks before he died in 1953, appeared in only one recorded version of that acclaimed work. Here it is, captured by chance when someone placed a tape recorder on the stage for this live performance. Thomas serves as narrator/commentator of this tale of a day in the lives of 53 characters in a small Welsh village; his is a compelling, booming, lyrical voice. His five excellent companion readers, all of them, interestingly, American, match his deftness in what is a somewhat plotless but highly entertaining and touching account of simple people dealing with the complexities of existence. Top marks for this cassette--and thanks to the long-forgotten audiophile who thought to tape the drama. T.H. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine