and it’s been a flying start so far. We opened with readings from Dannie Abse and Peter Finch, two of Wales’ most established and well respected poets. Contrasting in style, both were gripping in their different ways; Abse with his more traditional lyrics, and Finch combining the experimental with the personal. What a hard act to follow – and who better than Cerys Matthews, former Catatonia frontwoman and successful solo artist? Her intimate set at the Dylan Thomas Centre enthralled a sell-out crowd, and her readings of Dylan Thomas’ poetry were some of the best we’ve ever heard. She also read an extract of ‘A Child’s Christmas in Wales’, which was both funny and moving. Afterwards, she signed not only CD cases, but also a T Shirt – and a set of crutches. Only in Swansea, someone was heard to mutter…
Next up is a new one-man Richard Burton show by Gwynne Edwards, starring Rhodri Miles. Burton’s admiration of Dylan is well documented – he made the role of First Voice in ‘Under Milk Wood’ his own, and asked to be buried with a copy of Dylan’s ‘Collected Poems’.
So three days of poetry, music and drama – and that’s just from the audience. Plenty more to come – the festival runs until 9 November, and there’ s events every day. See http://www.dylanthomas.com for the full programme.
Filed under: Dylan Thomas Centre Tagged: | Cerys Matthews, Dannie Abse, Dylan Thomas Centre, Dylan Thomas Festival, Global Poetry System, Peter Finch, Richard Burton, Southbank Centre
