‘Dylan Thomas – the BBC Radio Collection’ is the ultimate compilation of recordings from Thomas’ best-known and celebrated works. Some of the pieces are from the archives, and others were performed in more recent years. Excitingly, there are opportunities to hear from Thomas himself as the poet reads his own works. Running to almost twelve hours in duration, there is an extraordinary amount of content. This title is sure to satisfy every admirer of Dylan Thomas’ works from the most ardent aficionados to casual poetry lovers.
Dylan Thomas (1914 – 1953) remains one of Britain’s best-loved poets. It’s impossible to read any of his works without hearing the words spoken with a Welsh accent, so strongly steeped in geographical place are his writings. This collection showcases many of the finest Welsh performers. It is introduced and linked by Matthew Rhys, who played Dylan Thomas in ‘The Edge of Love’ in 2008.
Quite rightly, the collection opens hearing from Dylan Thomas himself. Recorded in 1946, ‘Holiday Memory’ is Thomas’ distinctively vivid recollection of a sunny bank holiday in Swansea. He brings to life the small details and finds exactly the right words to conjure lucid and precise images inside the listener’s mind. One memorable description is of, “a sunburn of girls and a lark of boys.” It is an echo of more innocent, post-war times. Although the sound quality is less defined than that of more recent recordings, it is surprisingly crisp and clean.
‘A Child’s Christmas in Wales’ is a 1994 recording featuring the actors Philip Madoc and Freddie Jones. It was especially gratifying to hear Madoc’s rich, mellifluous voice as I once sat only a few feet away from him as he gave readings from ‘Under Milk Wood’. The fairytale-like imagining of the festive season is beguiling and follows in the tradition of Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’.
Dylan Thomas’ most famous work, ‘Under Milk Wood’, is front and centre of this release. There is another opportunity to hear Thomas’ voice as he narrates ‘Quite Early One Morning’, a short story that later spawned his famous play for voices. This collection incorporates the 1963 recording, which was longer than the original 1954 adaptation that was produced shortly after Thomas’ death. Welsh Hollywood star Richard Burton plays the narrator. His haunting, sonorous tones introduce the listener to the quiet, sleepy seaside town of Llareggub (read the name backwards if you’ve ever wondered why Thomas so named his fictional town).
With an all-Welsh cast, it features the voice talents of Aubrey Richards, Hugh Griffith, Talfryn Thomas and others who bring to life immortal characters such as Captain Cat, Mr Mog Edwards and Mrs Ogmore-Pritchard. ‘Under Milk Wood’ ably demonstrates Thomas’ wit and humour. There is plenty of it within these lyrical pieces. The poet’s unique observations on life often bring more than a smile as the listener progresses through the pieces.
Matthew Rhys ably cements together the collection, uniting phases of Thomas’ career with insights and commentary. He also provides the historical background to each piece. As a performer, he narrates ‘The Beach of Falesá’. It is based on Thomas’ unfilmed screenplay of a Robert Louis Stevenson short story. The 2014 recording, which also features Nicky Henson, is a touch ponderous and melodramatic for my taste, but it offers a contrast to some of the other works that lean more into the humour. Similarly, ‘The Outing’ features recordings of genuine Swansea residents from 1920s and 30s. Although these make for an intriguing historical insight into life in a Welsh city a century ago, they arguably occupy too much airtime and can leave the listener wanting to get back to Thomas’ story.
One highlight of this collection is ‘Patricia, Edith and Arnold’, a funny short story about a love triangle. It is narrated by Siân Philips (‘I, Claudius’), whose voice work bringing characters to life is dazzling. ‘Extraordinary Little Cough’, read by Iestyn Jones, transports the listener back to the era of the school bully that will be familiar to many.
We hear from Thomas again in ‘A Visit to America’, in which the poet recounts his lecture tour. It was recorded in October 1953, only weeks before his life came to an end at the early age of 39. You would not know it, listening to his clipped and precise voice in the recording, that his private life was chaotic. Nevertheless, his death in New York from alcohol poisoning robbed the world of an extraordinary talent. He left behind a remarkable legacy that has been celebrated and adored ever since.
Listening to this collection, it’s a reminder of how prolific and adaptable a writer Thomas was. Although remembered as a poet, his short stories and plays for voices are no less captivating. Whatever the medium, Thomas demonstrates his gift for seeing the beauty in the ordinary and affectionately ribbing the frailties of the human condition.
This is a brilliant collection of recordings, and although some chapters may resonate more than others, so much is inevitable for a compilation that showcases the depth and breadth of a writer’s talent. ‘Dylan Thomas – the BBC Radio Collection’ is essential listening for the poet’s fans, and will enthral listeners who want to seek out more from the imagination that gave us ‘Under Milk Wood’.
Publisher: BBC Audio Publication date: 25th January 2024 Buy ‘Dylan Thomas – the BBC Radio Collection’
