‘…. DO not go gentle into that good night..’
A large, enthusiastic band of actors from Maleny Players gathered at the Showgrounds Playhouse recently to audition for A Date With Dylan Thomas, for a production (26-27-28 August) combining an original drama about the iconic Welsh poet with an active performance of his radio play Under Milk Wood.
The drama script by Maleny author and playwright Jill Morris highlights Thomas’s illustrious but short career against the personal background of outrageous behaviour and a wildly romantic marriage to his wife Caitlin.
The setting of the first half of the show is a BBC Studio in the 1940s. The second half visits the mythical Welsh sea-coast village of Llareggub (‘bugger all’ backwards), which is filled with eccentric characters.
Hinterland village residents will relate to the village ambience. Actors gathering in the little local theatre (pictured) saw the connection between the Date With Dylan Thomas show and their own village lifestyle.
“I’m amazed at the huge local interest in Dylan’s work, which I have loved ever since the 1950 as a student of drama, and I’m glad the actors like my writing about him,” said Jill, who is being joined by co-director Barbara Thomas, in a show that will include Celtic songs and music played on a dulcimer.