The Legend and the Poet night at Berkelouw’s Bookstore, Leichhardt, was enjoyed by all the members present, though it probably deserved a somewhat larger audience. This year’s theme was Dylan and Money. Clive Woosnam acted as narrator, linking the readings into a coherent story of the impact both of poverty in Dylan's early years, and his inability to manage money in his later life, upon his writings and indeed his very existence. The readings consisted not just of Dylan's own poetry but also of works that Dylan used to read in his public meetings as well as poems dealing with the effects of wealth and poverty in general terms. Also included were excerpts from Dylan's letters, short stories and other writings and observations by his wife Caitlin.

The guest reader was Greg Bell. He was assisted by Will Christie, Susannah Fullerton, Helen Woosnam, Annie Schlebaum, Richard Jeffery and Ross Southernwood. In addition we used recordings of Dylan Thomas himself reading his poems in different styles - not merely the booming pulpit delivery for which he was famous - and one of Richard Burton describing Dylan's last ever request for money to save him making his fatal final trip to America.  Helen Woosnam and Kay Hardman produced a magnificent array of finger food and there was plenty of wine and coffee to stimulate conversation before and after the performance.

Photos of the occasion may be viewed on the photo gallery page of this website.

 A DYLAN THOMAS CHRISTMAS IN THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS 2006

Snow has been in short supply in the Southern Highlands this year, but on a cool, crisp and sunny winter's day, perfect for log fires and convivial gatherings, members of the DTSA enjoyed a nostalgic Dylan Thomas Christmas in July.  Twenty-four of us gathered at the atmospheric Book Barn outside Berrima and took over the little cafe for morning tea and readings.  We had excerpts from Return Journey, set in snowy, blitzed Swansea in the 1940s, a shortened version of the touching story of  Patricia, Edith and Arnold, also set in the Swansea snow, and part of Dylan's long, evocative poem, A Winter's Tale.  

We then drove south-east to the Burrawang Pub for our lunch.  Kay Hardman brought the Christmas tablecloths and decorations, Clive recited A Child's Christmas in Wales, and we relaxed amid good food and drink and plenty of genial conversation.  By then our numbers had risen to 36, as the late risers, slow drivers and poor map-readers reached their destination.  Will arrived with a bundle of his latest Down Under Milk Wood newsletters, so there was  plenty of DTSA news to discuss, if and when the conversation ever showed signs of flagging.  Zina was a popular winner of the door prize.  

And then it was back into our cars.  As Captain Cat might have said, "There's a lovely day, but oh, the cost of petrol!"

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For photos of the occasion, please go to Photo Gallery.  The flyer advertising the day is shown below.

     

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THEATRE VISIT TO UNDER MILK WOOD   2006              

26 members of the DTSA attended the penultimate night of Under Milk Wood at the Glen Street Theatre in Belrose.  Though the production had obvious limitations, most of the group enjoyed seeing and hearing Dylan's immortal play for voices on the professional stage, and we met up with the cast after the performance. Photos taken then are on display in the Photo Gallery.  A review of the show will appear in the next issue of the newsletter.

Articles advertising our visit to the performance are shown below.




The visit to Glen St Theatre, Belrose, will take place on the evening of Friday 21 July.  After the show, our members will go backstage to speak to the cast, led by Michael Craig.  Articles on the production and cast appear below.  Please contact Clive Woosnam on 9997 2019 or clivewoosnam@hotmail.com if you wish to join the group.

                                GLEN STREET THEATRE MEDIA RELEASE
                                    
                                         Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas
                                                     July 11 – 22, 2006 
              Cast includes Michael Craig; direction Don Mackay; design Jacqueline Lee

Everybody fantasises about living in a village. Some people actually do, but most of the rest of us cherish it as an ideal. Probably the most beautiful description of village life ever written is Dylan Thomas’ play which traces a day in the life of a Welsh fishing village called Llareggub.

Under Milk Wood follows the many characters of the small fishing town as they go to work, make love, quarrel, get drunk, bring up their children, cherish their dreams and regrets. Thomas’s wit extends to the town’s name. It sounds so like every other Welsh village, but it is in fact “bugger all” spelt backwards.

Llareggub comes back to life in a rich new production of Under Milk Wood starring Michael Craig, fondly remembered star of the ABC series “GP” leading a distinguished cast. For the four fine actors it is a virtuoso performance. For the audience, a uniquely and vastly entertaining experience.

“Magical writing performed with charm, spirit and appreciation by a perfect cast. Sure to be one of this year’s theatrical highlights…Immensely rewarding.” Sunday Herald Sun

“Mackay’s splendid direction works wonders…The quartet of actors serve the words well, relishing the way they cascade and collide in painting their sparkling verbal pictures.” The Age

“The small dramas of a small town unfold at a cracking pace…the gossipy, drunk, libidinous, lovelorn and murderous folk of Llareggub are all affectionately portrayed.” The Australian

                                          SEASON DETAILS:

VENUE : GLEN STREET THEATRE, Cnr Glen Street and Blackbutts Road, Belrose.

DATES: Preview July 11, opens July 12, season to July 22.
PRICES: Adults $38 - $52 (Child and concession prices available)

PERFORMANCES: Tues – Sat 8pm, matinees: Wed 11am, Sat 2pm, Sunday 5pm.


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          MICHAEL CRAIG stars in UNDER MILK WOOD

July 11 – 22 Glen Street Theatre

What do Sir John Gielgud, Barbra Streisand, Judi Dench, Peter Finch, Harold Pinter, Susan Hayward, Vanessa Redgrave, Susannah York and Julie Andrews all have in common?

They’ve all worked on stage or screen with the legendary Michael Craig, soon to be seen on the Glen Street Theatre stage in Dylan Thomas’ Welsh classic Under Milk Wood from July 11. Michael Craig is one of Australia’s most loved actors, best remembered for his long running role as Dr William Sharp in ABC-TV’s medical series G.P. which he played for an astonishing 16 years from 1989 – 1995 and won a Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Actor on Australian Television.

What many might not know (unless you happened to attend his Literary Lunch last year in Sorlies) is that Michael has had an illustrious film and stage career spanning more than half a century. Michael was born in India in 1929, moved to England aged two and a half, where he lived through the depression and war years, then after a stint in the Merchant Navy, Michael began working as an assistant stage manager in a small town weekly repertory company in England in 1949 where he soon graduated to small acting parts and never looked back.

In 1954, whilst working at the Oxford Playhouse under Peter Hall, (later to become Sir Peter) Michael was spotted by a J Arthur Rank talent scout (possibly as much for his charming personality and matinee idol good looks as his acting talent!) and signed to a seven year film contract. He was then signed by Columbia Pictures for a further 2 years. During these years, Michael Craig made a total of thirty six British, American and European films playing opposite many of the leading actresses of the day. In 1966 on the London stage he played opposite Judi Dench in The Country Wife, and opposite Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl then in ’67 toured to New York with the original Royal Shakespeare Production of Harold Pinter’s The Homecoming.

Many might not also know that Michael is a distinguished writer, not only was his autobiography The Smallest Giant – An Actor’s Life published by Allen and Unwin last year, but he has written many episodes of some of our best loved tv shows including The Sullivans & The Outsiders as well as the television drama and film The Fourth Wish. He even received an Oscar nomination in 1960 for co-writing The Angry Silence.

Michael and his Australian actress wife Sue Walker have commuted between Sydney and London regularly over the last thirty years.

Glen Street Theatre is delighted to welcome Michael Craig in his debut performance on the Glen Street Theatre main stage at the distinguished age of 78!

This production of Under Milk Wood toured Victoria last year and the Sunday Herald Sun wrote: “Magical writing performed with charm, spirit and appreciation by a perfect cast. Sure to be one of this year’s theatrical highlights…immensely rewarding”. Don’t miss it!