Dylan Thomas. There’s a lot of him about at the moment. However, I think what we’ve got to mark the centenary of the poet’s birth this week is really rather special.
Dylan’s Under Milk Wood was first performed in full at the 92nd Street Y Centre in New York back in 1953. In September of that year he delivered a full draft to the BBC on his way back to America. The intention was to revise it on his return, and ultimately star as First Voice. By November, he was dead.
Dylan Thomas recording for the BBC
On Sunday night, we’re broadcasting a live performance of Under Milk Wood from that stage at the 92nd Street Y where it all started. Michael Sheen will direct and star in the performance along with Kate Burton, Mark Lewis Jones, Francine Morgan, Matthew Aubrey and Karl Johnson.
Carolyn Hitt will present our coverage from New York from 6pm, starting with a backstage preview featuring the US Poet Laureate, Charles Wright. The performance is due to start at 7pm, and you’ll be able to listen to Under Milk Wood for 30 days after the broadcast on the BBC Radio Wales website.
To whet your appetite for all things Dylan, we’re building up to the main event with a repeat of The Outing at 5pm – Matthew Rhys’ reading of Dylan’s seaside story, interspersed with real-life recollections of trips to the Gower. And at 3.45, an omnibus of 21st Century Dylan: Short Plays from New Voices. inspired by the poet’s legacy, we’re broadcasting five plays from new writers all this week at 10pm. Plus there are behind-the-scenes videos and galleries on the website.
Richard Harrington in 21st Century Dylan
Tomorrow is Family Heroes Day on the station – part of our contribution to BBC Wales’ Real Families Season. Throughout Jason and Eleri’s programmes we’ll be hearing the stories of the people who make their families tick. Also on tomorrow’s show, Eleriwill be speaking to someone who may have inspired many a family teatime, Paul Hollywood.
The stars keep on coming later in the week with Eleri speaking to Chris de Burgh and Griff Rhys Jones on Thursday. And on Wednesday, she’s joined by the Radio Wales Artist of the Week, The Vestals. The Newport four-piece’s new song, Life Without Love, can be heard across the station all this week.
Back to Sunday to finish: Roy puts on his captain’s hat as he boards the HMS Somerset for an outside broadcast marking the launch of the 2014 Poppy Appeal. And there’s a new captain at the helm of Eye on Wales – good luck to Charlotte Dubenskij and the team at their new time of 12.30.
