Dylan Thomas Festival 2010 ‘A kind of home from home for Thomases’
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Writing in his radio memoir of Swansea, Return Journey, Dylan has a barmaid describe one of his favourite pubs as ‘a kind of home from home for Thomases’ and that is the phrase that has driven this year’s festival. Alongside Dylan Thomas, the Centre will become temporary home to a group of other great Welsh writers and broadcasters who share his surname. In times of change and uncertainty it is to our great writers we return for familiar wisdom. We particularly celebrate Dylan’s contemporary and fellow poet R.S. Thomas, as well as Edward, Gwyn, Wynford Vaughan, John Ormond, and the contributions made by Elsi and Caitlin, the wives of R.S. and Dylan. Beyond this, our usual mix of contemporary writers and poets, plus the politician Peter Hain on Nelson Mandela and former Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion on Edward Thomas. Cardiff’s Gwyneth Lewis makes a welcome return and with new plays, workshops, music and exhibitions, we hope you enjoy this, our thirteenth festival, and would like to thank Jeff Towns for his continuing contribution to this and all previous festivals. Enjoy. David Woolley, Festival Programmer Wed 27 October, 7pm • Festival Opening
Mandela: The Story of a Universal Hero Peter Hain Nelson Mandela is renowned for his tireless crusade against racial inequality, outspoken social criticism, values of freedom and his anti-apartheid campaigning, making him an international hero. As a personal friend of Nelson Mandela, Peter Hain has managed to capture the humanity, humility and passion of a man so publicly revered, in this inspirational biography. Peter will officially open the festival, and then discuss the book. Tickets: Full Price £6, Concessions £4.20, PTL £2.40 Wed 27 October, 9pm
The Dylan Thomas Jazz Suite The Jen Wilson Ensemble launch its new CD of Twelve Poems: The Dylan Thomas Jazz Suite. Funded by the Arts Council of Wales, the new recording celebrates Jen’s 50th Year in Jazz! The Suite was commissioned by the Centre and premiered in 2003. Jen will be on piano, Margot Morgan vocals, Paula Gardiner doublebass, Mark O’Connor drums, Cris Haines trumpet and flugelhorn, Chris Ryan on saxes and clarinet. Tickets: Full Price £6, Concessions £4.20, PTL £2.40
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Thurs 28 October, 7.30pm
Sir Andrew Motion on Edward Thomas Former Poet Laureate, and acclaimed biographer, Sir Andrew Motion talks about his love of the work of Edward Thomas, who lost his life at the end of World War One. “Edward Thomas was the first poet who spoke to me directly, and has become the poet I hold closer than any other. I relish the chance to spend an evening sharing his work with others.” Sir Andrew will read works by Thomas, and from his latest collection, The Cinder Path. Tickets: Full Price £10, Concessions £7 Fri 29 October, 7:30pm
Gwyneth Lewis and Damian Furniss A double-bill of poetry from Cardiff’s multi-talented Gwyneth Lewis, and a highly talented new voice in Exeter’s Damian Furniss. Gwyneth Lewis was the National Poet of Wales 2005-06, the first to be awarded the laureateship. She has published seven books of poetry in both Welsh and English, the most recent being A Hospital Odyssey (Bloodaxe, 2010). She has Gwyneth Lewis also published two books of non-fiction, Sunbathing in the Rain: A Cheerful Book on Depression and Two in a Boat. She recently received a Cholmondeley Award from the Society of Authors, was a Radcliffe Fellow at Harvard University and a Damian Fellow at the Stanford Humanities Center in California. Furniss Damian Furniss lives and works in Exeter, where he co-hosts a radio arts show and writes. Chocolate Che (Shearsman) is his first full collection after twenty years of writing, and a poem from the book is selected for this year’s Forward Prize Anthology. His chapbook, The Duchess of Kaligat, won the Tears in the Fence pamphlet competition. Tickets: Full Price £6, Concessions £4.20, PTL £2.40 Sat 30 October, 3pm
Film – The Man Who Went Into the West A film portrait of R.S.Thomas, the first of a number of events in our festival marking the 10th anniversary of the death of Wales’ other great poet. With thanks to Fulmar West productions for permission to show this film. Tickets: FREE ENTRY Sat 30 October, 7.30pm
The Staggering Players present ‘A Home From Home’ A selection of poetry and prose by Dylan, R.S., Edward, Gwyn and John Ormond Thomas by the Dylan Thomas Centre’s band of bards, featuring Nigel Jenkins, Margot Morgan, Jo Furber and Malcolm Parr. Tickets: Full Price £6, Concessions £4.20, PTL £2.40 Malcolm Parr
Nigel Jenkins
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Margot Morgan
Jo Furber
Sun 31 October, 3pm
The Friends of the Glynn Vivian present
Glenys Cour, in conversation with Jeff Towns The annual Friends Festival event, which this year will be hosted at the Centre. Since the 1940s, Glenys Cour has contributed immeasurably towards the cultural life of Wales. She has established herself as a painter, designer and teacher of immense talent, with her work held in the highest regard. Glenys will be ‘In Conversation’ with Jeff Towns in what promises to be a fascinating reprise of her career together with reminiscences of her artistic contemporaries. Tickets: Full Price £6, Concessions £4.20, PTL £2.40 Sun 31 October, 7pm
Film: Kane’s Classics: Gwyn Thomas Welsh TV giant Vincent Kane looks back at the career of Gwyn Thomas, Welsh novelist, playwright and raconteur, in this 1998 film. Shown by kind permission of BBC Cymru Wales. (30 mins) Tickets: FREE ENTRY Sun 31 October, 8pm
Fluellen Theatre Company presents The Keep by Gwyn Thomas Fluellen Theatre Company presents an edited, script-in-hand performance of Gwyn Thomas’s 1962 play. Premiered to great acclaim at the Royal Court Theatre and set in the Welsh valley that he was born into, The Keep takes a typically acerbic and humorous look at a family at war with itself. Tickets: Full Price £6, Concessions £4.20, PTL £2.40 Mon 1 Nov, 7.30pm
R.S. Thomas – The Way of It Poems selected by Othniel Smith and read by Michael Kelligan Actor, writer, director and producer, Michael Kelligan presents a miscellany of the finest work by the great poet, selected by Othniel Smith. Tickets: Full Price £6, Concessions £4.20, PTL £2.40
Michael Kelligan
Tues 2 Nov, 7.30pm
Wynford Vaughan Thomas and John Ormond Thomas introduced by TV producer and director Wyn Thomas Wynford and John were major figures in the Welsh and National media from the 1940s to the 1970s. Wynford's broadcasting career began in 1937. He was one of the founders of HTV and his series on Welsh history, The Dragon Has Two Tongues, was a landmark in Welsh Broadcasting. Our film tonight is a compilation of his work Wynford - A Miscellany made by ITV. John Ormond Thomas began his working life when he joined Picture Post in 1945, where he commissioned a struggling Swansea boy named Dylan Thomas. He returned to Swansea and began a distinguished career with BBC Wales, making a series of acclaimed films on Welsh artists and writers including Dylan and R. S. Thomas. He was also a noted poet. Tonight's film is In Requiem and Celebration: A Profile of John Ormond Thomas (1995). Shown by kind permission of BBC Cymru Wales. Tickets: FREE ENTRY
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Wed 3 November, 7.30pm
Buggerall by Jon Tregenna Buggerall was commissioned by Carmarthenshire Council to mark the 50th anniversary of Dylan Thomas' death in 2003. It was brought back to life when it came to the attention of Peter Thabit Jones who described it thus - 'A wonderful and inspiring play. I have read many updates of Under Milk Wood and this comes closest to capturing the original's eccentricity and clotted musicality.’ The author, Jon Tregenna, has gathered a talented cast including Greg Arthur, Sarah Arthur, Catherine Tregenna and Gareth Morris to perform it as Dylan Thomas originally performed Under Milk Wood in New York - as a rehearsed reading. Tickets: Full Price £6, Concessions £4.20, PTL £2.40 Thurs 4 November, 7.30pm
Peter Read presents Time Passes A new play by Peter Read who has played Dylan well over 100 times. This time he plays the ghost of Dylan. It is the present day and Dylan’s ghost Peter looks back on a tragic yet comic life. What would he have done differently? Read We follow him as he outrages the literary set and shambles through relationships until the final act in a New York hospital. The play has five actors and will be performed as a rehearsed reading. Tickets: Full Price £6, Concessions £4.20, PTL £2.40 Fri 5 November, 7.30pm
Undiminished: Poetry from Alexis Lykiard and Mike Jenkins In testing times we present two uncompromising poetic voices. Distinct, accessible and fiercely political, novelist, poet and translator Alexis Lykiard, Alexis and Merthyr’s poet and story writer Mike Jenkins, Mike Lykiard Jenkins have never wavered from their left-wing commitment, their championing of the underdog, their criticism of establishments, or their belief in the power of the written word. Expect fireworks! Tickets: Full Price £6, Concessions £4.20, PTL £2.40 Sat 6 November , 9.30pm – 6.00pm, Evening: 7.30pm
R.S.Thomas 10th Anniversary Conference A one-day conference arranged by CREW (Centre for the Research into the English Literature and Language of Wales), Swansea University with the R.S. Thomas Centre, Bangor University and Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. The day will include talks and papers by Tony Brown, Damian Walford Davies, M.Wynn Thomas, Rhian Bubear, John Ormond’s film on R.S.Thomas and in the evening, R.S.’s son Gwydion in conversation with Tony Brown of Bangor University’s R.S.Thomas Archive and Study Centre. For full details contact Daniel Williams via email: daniel.g.williams@swansea.ac.uk or the Dylan Thomas Centre. Open to all, and evening talk tickets available separately. 6.00pm: M Wynn Thomas. Launch of volume on Nonconformity and Welsh Writing in English. Sponsored by UWP. 7.30pm: Tony Brown in Conversation with Gwydion Thomas. Day Tickets: £20, includes tea & coffee Evening Tickets: Full Price £6, Concessions £4.20, PTL £2.40
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Sun 7 November, 7.30pm
Dylan, R.S, Elsi and Caitlin Wives of famous husbands are often overlooked, and so often make a vital contribution to the work of writers. This evening we see The Rare Bird (1998) “a profile of RS Thomas, poet, priest - and birdwatcher. Now in his eighty-fifth year, he still stalks the countryside in search of unusual migrants […] Despite his claims that his poetry ‘has lost its dew’ he still writes on, hoping to write ’the big poem’. “ Followed by O Flaen dy Lygaid: Pwy oedd Mrs R S Thomas (2010): Profile of Mildred Elsi Eldridge - a star of the RCA who turned her back on artistic circles to support her husband, R. S. Thomas, and son, Gwydion. In a rare interview, Gwydion provides an insight into a unique creative partnership. This is a Welsh language programme, but much of it is spoken in English. Finally, a chance to see Vincent Kane’s stunningly revealing late interview with a weary yet still feisty Caitlin: Kane on Friday: Left Over Wife: Caitlin Thomas (1983). Films shown by kind permission of BBC Cymru Wales. Tickets: FREE ENTRY Mon 8 November, 7.30pm
The Wizard, The Goat and The Man Who Won the War – A one-man play on David Lloyd George performed by Richard Elfyn. David Lloyd George was a charismatic giant of 20th Century world politics, yet Wales and Britain remain divided about his controversial personal life and his extraordinary political works In its first full performance, writer/director D.J. D.J. Britton and renowned actor Richard Elfyn create Britton a theatrical fiction to explore the rich complexities Richard of Lloyd George. They find humour, music, poetry Elfyn and mystery in the mind of the great man. How could a Welsh-speaking chapel boy brought up in a Gwynedd bootmaker’s workshop become the steely Prime Minister who saw Britain through the First World War? How could the champion of non-conformist Christianity become the womaniser who lived a double life with his longterm mistress? Why did this protector of the poor risk so much to advance his own personal wealth? Tickets: Full Price £6, Concessions £4.20, PTL £2.40 Tues 9 November, 7.30pm • Festival Finale
Stuff Happens and The Fugitives A fabulous double-bill to end the Festival, with readers from the regular collaborative poetry performance evening the Dylan Thomas Centre runs with The Crunch poetry night at Swansea’s Mozart’s. Those performing are Marcel Fanara, Emily Vanderploeg, Rhys Owain Williams and Adam Sillman. This will be followed by a welcome return for Canadian poetry & music collective The Fugitives, who wowed the crowd at the DTC in 2005. Tickets: FREE ENTRY
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Exhibitions... ’A kind of home from home for Thomases' This year’s exhibition reflects the major theme of the Festival - a celebration of worthy writers and broadcasters who share Dylan’s surname. It has fine paintings and prints inspired by R.S. Thomas and Edward Thomas by artists who have supported our festivals for many years such as Philippa Jacobs, Gordon Stuart, and John Uzzel Edwards who has produced new work. It has photographs by longstanding festival photographer Bernard Mitchell, sketches by Wynford Vaughan Thomas, and a patchwork handbag made by Helen Thomas (Edward’s widow) and given to Gwen Watkins. The pictures are accompanied by works by and about the featured writers - R.S. Thomas’ very rare first three books with manuscripts and typescripts, Edward Thomas’ writings, Gwyn Thomas’ novels and plays, and original editions, letters and drawings by Wynford, Caitlin, John Ormond and Elsi (Mildred Eldridge.) Some exhibits are from the Centre's Collection, some have been lent by the artists [who I thank] and the rest are from the Jeff Towns/Dylans Bookstore Collection.
Drawings by Dodie Masterman and Dylan Thomas. Artist and illustrator Dodie Masterman first met Dylan Thomas in Swansea. We display for the first time these drawings by Dylan and by Dodie, and one to which they both contributed. The drawings are kindly on loan from Fairless Masterman, and are accompanied by a recording of Dodie’s reminiscences of Dylan. Dylan Thomas Centre
Locws Projects October 2010: Art across the City
Rebecca Spooner: The birds the grass the trees the lake Rebecca Spooner has explored Cwmdonkin Park and the inspiration it gave Dylan Thomas. The artist has responded to the park’s rich wildlife and created a film-based installation that explores the impact our urban parks can have upon us, both in giving us the opportunity to be connected to nature and in turn with ourselves. Set amongst selected visual art from the collection of the Dylan Thomas Centre.
The Dylan Thomas Centre , supported by
hybu llên literature promotion
www.dylanthomas.com
CYNGOR LLYFRAU CYMRU WELSH BOOKS COUNCIL
Other Events... Workshop: Sat, 30 October 2.15 – 4.15
Poetry workshop with Susan Richardson. You name it…climate change will touch every aspect of our lives. But not a lot of people are writing about it. Eco-poet Susan Richardson will be leading an exciting workshop to get you creating poetry on this ripe topic! Part of Awel Aman Tawe Arts and Climate Change programme. Supported by Academi, Environment Wales, Awards for All and Department for Energy and Climate Change. Maximum numbers 8, £5 per person Contact: ehinshelwood@awelamantawe.co.uk Thurs 28th to Sat 30th October, 7.30pm at the Dylan Thomas Theatre
Swansea Little Theatre presents Under Milk Wood Directed by Francis Purchase Tickets: £8.50/£7 (10% reduction for bookings of 10 or more) Box Office 01792 473238 or book online www.dylanthomastheatre.org.uk or www.swansealittletheatre.org.uk
How to find us... The Dylan Thomas Centre Somerset Place, Swansea SA1 1RR 01792 463980 www.dylanthomas.com www.dylan-thomas-books.com dylanthomas.lit@swansea.gov.uk All events at the Dylan Thomas Centre unless otherwise stated Travel and Accommodation For accommodation contact Swansea Tourist Information Centre on 01792 361302, or visit www.visitswanseabay.com
Whilst all effort is made to ensure that the details of this programme are accurate, the City and County of Swansea reserve the right to alter any part of the programme without notice. If you require this brochure in a different format please contact us on the telephone number above. Photography: Andrew Motion by Stuart Leech; Jen Wilson by Jo Furber; Peter Read, Nigel Jenkins, Malcolm Parr, Margot Morgan and Jo Furber by Bernard Mitchell.
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25447-10 Designprint 01792 586555
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