Dylan Thomas Circle Members Loved the Words
By EIFION WILLIAMS
VANCOUVER - Members of the Dylan Thomas Circle of Vancouver spent an enjoyable evening on May 13 at the Red Dragon, Cambrian Hall, sharing in a multimedia presentation called Love the Words. The program was conceived and organized by Circle members Don Thomas, Neville Thomas and David Webb.
Part of the program consisted of sound and film recordings of works by Dylan, performed by well-known Welsh actors Richard Burton, Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones, together with recordings of Dylan reading his own work. Neville Thomas reminded the audience that there are no filmed records of Dylan Thomas but that the sound of the poet’s voice made it easier to “love the words.”
Members of the Circle also contributed to the evening’s entertainment. Jeanette Maclean, Tora Anderson and Phillip Thatcher read some of Thomas’ well-known poems and prose excerpts.
The last part of the program consisted of excerpts from the London and New York performances of Under Milk Wood, starring such luminaries as Catherine Zeta-Jones, Harry Secombe and Anthony Hopkins.
These were interspersed with filmed excerpts from the Dylan Thomas Circle’s own 1985 presentation of Under Milk Wood. Several of the cast members of the 1985 presentation were introduced prior to the showing of the film.
The evening ended with Dylan’s own reading of the closing words of Under Milk Wood and Poem on his Birthday, followed by part of a prayer sung by Welsh opera star Geraint Evans at Dylan’s funeral.
The evening’s success was largely due to the excellent technical production. Neville Thomas praised the editing and production skills of Paul Lievesley, who had spent many hours preparing a smooth and seamless montage of sound and video for the audience’s entertainment. Members of the audience also commended the professional quality of the presentation.
Dylan Thomas Circle members are now looking forward to the Circle’s annual summer outing, which this year is planned for Point Roberts. Anyone interested in joining the Dylan Thomas Circle should contact Heather Davies at (604) 734-5500.
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