Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, 04 May 2008

'To begin at the beginning'...

I was arranging a visit to Mousehole, Cornwall and whilst researching my visit (incredibly sad, yes - well informed, yes) I stumbled across Thomas' connections with this pretty village. A friend of his, Wyn Henderson, owned the now demolished 'Lobster Pot' harbourside. Thomas delighted in the village and proclaimed that he too, wanted to live somewhere like that. Llareggub, the fictional village Thomas describes is based on another harbourside village in Wales, but the influence of Mousehole on Thomas' creative thoughts is distinctly recognisable to anyone who has visited it and whilst I was reading, I imagined Mousehole through his eyes - the buildings and characters so incredibly vivid. We wandered along the harbour at night after a drink in the local hostelry - finding it silent and still, save the sound of waves against the sea walls.

This is a beautiful piece of writing: lyrical, humourous, quirky and theatrical. The voice of the narrator is particularly intelligent:

'You can hear the love-sick woodpigeons mooning in bed. A dog barks in his sleep, farmyards away. The town ripples like a lake in the waking haze.'

A picture of a community painted in words. Genius.

aruffledmind-k.blogspot

"Time passes. Listen. Time passes.", 30 Dec 2007
Written as a "play for voices" for the BBC, this historic audiotape features the all-Welsh cast of the original BBC production from 1954. Richard Burton is the First Voice, which connects all the characters, played by twenty-eight men, women, and children. With perfect diction and the sense of character which only a great actor can convey, Burton rolls his R's, modulates his voice in pitch and intensity, and makes Thomas's poetry come fully alive--full of alliteration and various kinds of rhyme, with nouns and adjectives used as verbs to convey action and sense impressions simultaneously, and always a wry humor and honesty of feeling.

Depicting one full day in the life of a small town in Wales, Thomas shows its motley residents as they awaken, perform their daily tasks, socialize, gossip, and daydream about the past that might have been and the future that may yet hold hope. When night falls and the residents retire, their losses and disappointments, along with their escapes into dreams, are given voice and poignancy. Polly Garter, with her numerous children by numerous fathers, dreams of Willie, a very small man who was the love of her life. Captain Cat, the blind bell-ringer, thinks of all the sailors he knew who died at sea. Mr. Pugh dreams of poisoning his wife, and young Gwenny, who has extorted pennies from the little boys who do NOT want to kiss her, plans for the next day and more pennies.

The sound effects provide context for the drama without overpowering the narrative--a cock's crow, the clip-clop of horses, the bark of dogs, footsteps, the sea, bell buoys--and simple songs add to the realism and the sense of character and place. A mournful tune performed by Polly Garter in a minor key, as she remembers Willie and compares him to her other lovers, is beautifully sung by Diana Maddox, her clear, bell-like voice and almost palpable sadness making her one of the most memorable of the characters. A humorous children's singing game, sung by local school children, gives added realism, and little Gwenny's song to three very young boys is delightfully cheeky. Both enchanting and historically important, this memorable recording is worth seeking through Used sites or through amazon.co.uk--the best recording ever made of this wonderful "play for voices." Mary Whipple


Now this is more like it, 04 Apr 2006
Richard Burtons voice simply brings this audiobook to life.The majority of readers and listeners are more used to this version than Thomases original radio performance.

The characters are brought to life by a more than eager cast of well known personalities.

According to the accompanying script with this audio cd version
Thomas first aired his play on 14 May 1953 in New York on one of his lecture tours there.The recording we have here was totally revised and more the better for it and broadcast on 11 October 1963 a full ten years after its original airing.

What a contrast in style,the original 53 version is raw and unpolished and without Burtons commanding voice.
This 1963 edition is a revalation and was one of several transcripts with different cast members all bringing their own particular talent to this marvelous play.

If you must listen to the 1953 original you must remember this is not the finished article.To really appreciate the play turn to this BBC Radio Collection version it literally jumps out at you with its vigour and joy.

BUY-BUY- BUY THIS VERSION IT IS WORTHY OF ITS 5 STAR RATING MANY TIMES OVER !!

Under Milk Wood, 02 Sep 2002
The BBC recording of the 'play for voices' with Richard Burton as the lead narrator, is a wonderful creation. The story of South-West Wales fishing village, following the life of the village as a single day passes, it is a glorious composition of finely drawn characters. The word play is poetic, the inter-twined lives of the voices are surreal, the atmosphere is tangible. There is comedy and pathos as the author and the superb cast of voices draw out the stories within the village. It's best listened to in the dark, start to finish, in one sitting. Let the pictures flood through your mind; the words and voices are so evocative. Then read it to yourself, preferably with a well-annotated version that explains all the nuances and subtleties. You will not be able to read it without hearing Richard Burton's rich voice in your mind and seeing again the village, cascading down the hills to the little harbour, and every place within where a little drama is happening. Unforgetable.

The Welsh Shakespeare, 23 Aug 2001
This being the first play I read in my whole life,it tends to be kind of sentimental, and without wanting to sound too patriotic, find everything of Dylan's a stroke of genius. The whole Play captures the atmosphere of a typical welsh town perfectly. Dylan is an icon who has inspired so many great artists, such as; Bob dylan(took his stage name from him), Mick jagger and David Bowie. Mr.Thomas I salute you!!!!

Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, 04 May 2008

'To begin at the beginning'...

I was arranging a visit to Mousehole, Cornwall and whilst researching my visit (incredibly sad, yes - well informed, yes) I stumbled across Thomas' connections with this pretty village. A friend of his, Wyn Henderson, owned the now demolished 'Lobster Pot' harbourside. Thomas delighted in the village and proclaimed that he too, wanted to live somewhere like that. Llareggub, the fictional village Thomas describes is based on another harbourside village in Wales, but the influence of Mousehole on Thomas' creative thoughts is distinctly recognisable to anyone who has visited it and whilst I was reading, I imagined Mousehole through his eyes - the buildings and characters so incredibly vivid. We wandered along the harbour at night after a drink in the local hostelry - finding it silent and still, save the sound of waves against the sea walls.

This is a beautiful piece of writing: lyrical, humourous, quirky and theatrical. The voice of the narrator is particularly intelligent:

'You can hear the love-sick woodpigeons mooning in bed. A dog barks in his sleep, farmyards away. The town ripples like a lake in the waking haze.'

A picture of a community painted in words. Genius.

aruffledmind-k.blogspot

"Time passes. Listen. Time passes.", 30 Dec 2007
Written as a "play for voices" for the BBC, this historic audiotape features the all-Welsh cast of the original BBC production from 1954. Richard Burton is the First Voice, which connects all the characters, played by twenty-eight men, women, and children. With perfect diction and the sense of character which only a great actor can convey, Burton rolls his R's, modulates his voice in pitch and intensity, and makes Thomas's poetry come fully alive--full of alliteration and various kinds of rhyme, with nouns and adjectives used as verbs to convey action and sense impressions simultaneously, and always a wry humor and honesty of feeling.

Depicting one full day in the life of a small town in Wales, Thomas shows its motley residents as they awaken, perform their daily tasks, socialize, gossip, and daydream about the past that might have been and the future that may yet hold hope. When night falls and the residents retire, their losses and disappointments, along with their escapes into dreams, are given voice and poignancy. Polly Garter, with her numerous children by numerous fathers, dreams of Willie, a very small man who was the love of her life. Captain Cat, the blind bell-ringer, thinks of all the sailors he knew who died at sea. Mr. Pugh dreams of poisoning his wife, and young Gwenny, who has extorted pennies from the little boys who do NOT want to kiss her, plans for the next day and more pennies.

The sound effects provide context for the drama without overpowering the narrative--a cock's crow, the clip-clop of horses, the bark of dogs, footsteps, the sea, bell buoys--and simple songs add to the realism and the sense of character and place. A mournful tune performed by Polly Garter in a minor key, as she remembers Willie and compares him to her other lovers, is beautifully sung by Diana Maddox, her clear, bell-like voice and almost palpable sadness making her one of the most memorable of the characters. A humorous children's singing game, sung by local school children, gives added realism, and little Gwenny's song to three very young boys is delightfully cheeky. Both enchanting and historically important, this memorable recording is worth seeking through Used sites or through amazon.co.uk--the best recording ever made of this wonderful "play for voices." Mary Whipple


Now this is more like it, 04 Apr 2006
Richard Burtons voice simply brings this audiobook to life.The majority of readers and listeners are more used to this version than Thomases original radio performance.

The characters are brought to life by a more than eager cast of well known personalities.

According to the accompanying script with this audio cd version
Thomas first aired his play on 14 May 1953 in New York on one of his lecture tours there.The recording we have here was totally revised and more the better for it and broadcast on 11 October 1963 a full ten years after its original airing.

What a contrast in style,the original 53 version is raw and unpolished and without Burtons commanding voice.
This 1963 edition is a revalation and was one of several transcripts with different cast members all bringing their own particular talent to this marvelous play.

If you must listen to the 1953 original you must remember this is not the finished article.To really appreciate the play turn to this BBC Radio Collection version it literally jumps out at you with its vigour and joy.

BUY-BUY- BUY THIS VERSION IT IS WORTHY OF ITS 5 STAR RATING MANY TIMES OVER !!

Under Milk Wood, 02 Sep 2002
The BBC recording of the 'play for voices' with Richard Burton as the lead narrator, is a wonderful creation. The story of South-West Wales fishing village, following the life of the village as a single day passes, it is a glorious composition of finely drawn characters. The word play is poetic, the inter-twined lives of the voices are surreal, the atmosphere is tangible. There is comedy and pathos as the author and the superb cast of voices draw out the stories within the village. It's best listened to in the dark, start to finish, in one sitting. Let the pictures flood through your mind; the words and voices are so evocative. Then read it to yourself, preferably with a well-annotated version that explains all the nuances and subtleties. You will not be able to read it without hearing Richard Burton's rich voice in your mind and seeing again the village, cascading down the hills to the little harbour, and every place within where a little drama is happening. Unforgetable.

The Welsh Shakespeare, 23 Aug 2001
This being the first play I read in my whole life,it tends to be kind of sentimental, and without wanting to sound too patriotic, find everything of Dylan's a stroke of genius. The whole Play captures the atmosphere of a typical welsh town perfectly. Dylan is an icon who has inspired so many great artists, such as; Bob dylan(took his stage name from him), Mick jagger and David Bowie. Mr.Thomas I salute you!!!!

our resident geinus, 17 Nov 2006
Although the material and take on life are completely different Alan Bennett shares with William S Burroughs a voice that just sucks you into the narrative and makes impossible thereafter to read without hearing the voice in your head. I seldom buy spoken word recordings but sometimes it is a must. Having read (or not ) the books I can close my eyes and be transported in the same way that music works, which is saying something from my perspective.

I haven't actaually heard this yet but I do have 3 others by him and I know in advance that it cannot be recommend too highly.

The mundaity of it all speaks to and for all of us and above everything else it is the honesty and truth that humbles us. Alan knows that the smallest things have the biggest impact.

A definite hit with me.

Entertaining, 02 Feb 2006
I bought this book with a gift certificate. I am not from England so much of the geography and names go right over me. However, there is a style of writing here that attracts me to every page. It is almost as if I have known A Bennett or he has known me all my/his life. I am sharing his thoughts and deeds throught these years. Mr Bennett is very understated.

Listen with Alan, 15 Dec 2005
Listening to Alan Bennett reading his work adds an extra dimension - it's rather like an old friend confiding his private and personal memories. I'm not a fan of audiobooks but this one's an exception and worth replaying.

All's Well That Ends Well has generally been considered one of Shakespeare's most difficult and unpopular plays. Labelled a "Problem Comedy", editors believe that the play was written between 1604 and 1605, and exhibits a darkening of Shakespeare's interest in comedy. The play deals with the complicated relationship between Helena, the daughter of a famous physician, and Bertram, the arrogant son of the Countess of Roussillon. Helena is secretly in love with Bertram, and when she miraculously cures the ailing King, she asks for Bertram's hand in marriage, to which the grateful sovereign happily agrees. Bertram bitterly opposes marriage to Helena, who he regards as a social inferior. After reluctantly agreeing to the marriage, Bertram flees to the wars in Italy with his companion Parolles.

What ensues is Helena's increasingly desperate and complex attempts to retrieve her errant husband, which involves various machinations and a piece of mistaken identity and an infamous "bed-trick" which has never fully convinced audiences or critics. More recently critics have been kinder to the play, seeing its cynical disillusionment with romance as reflecting contemporary social and political anxieties about warfare and commerce, and feminist critics have been keen to celebrate Helena as a particularly complex heroine. The play is also fascinated by language, encapsulated in the character of Parolles (or "words"), and his memorable line for which the play is chiefly remembered: "Simply the thing I am / Shall make me live". --Jerry Brotton

Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, 04 May 2008

'To begin at the beginning'...

I was arranging a visit to Mousehole, Cornwall and whilst researching my visit (incredibly sad, yes - well informed, yes) I stumbled across Thomas' connections with this pretty village. A friend of his, Wyn Henderson, owned the now demolished 'Lobster Pot' harbourside. Thomas delighted in the village and proclaimed that he too, wanted to live somewhere like that. Llareggub, the fictional village Thomas describes is based on another harbourside village in Wales, but the influence of Mousehole on Thomas' creative thoughts is distinctly recognisable to anyone who has visited it and whilst I was reading, I imagined Mousehole through his eyes - the buildings and characters so incredibly vivid. We wandered along the harbour at night after a drink in the local hostelry - finding it silent and still, save the sound of waves against the sea walls.

This is a beautiful piece of writing: lyrical, humourous, quirky and theatrical. The voice of the narrator is particularly intelligent:

'You can hear the love-sick woodpigeons mooning in bed. A dog barks in his sleep, farmyards away. The town ripples like a lake in the waking haze.'

A picture of a community painted in words. Genius.

aruffledmind-k.blogspot

"Time passes. Listen. Time passes.", 30 Dec 2007
Written as a "play for voices" for the BBC, this historic audiotape features the all-Welsh cast of the original BBC production from 1954. Richard Burton is the First Voice, which connects all the characters, played by twenty-eight men, women, and children. With perfect diction and the sense of character which only a great actor can convey, Burton rolls his R's, modulates his voice in pitch and intensity, and makes Thomas's poetry come fully alive--full of alliteration and various kinds of rhyme, with nouns and adjectives used as verbs to convey action and sense impressions simultaneously, and always a wry humor and honesty of feeling.

Depicting one full day in the life of a small town in Wales, Thomas shows its motley residents as they awaken, perform their daily tasks, socialize, gossip, and daydream about the past that might have been and the future that may yet hold hope. When night falls and the residents retire, their losses and disappointments, along with their escapes into dreams, are given voice and poignancy. Polly Garter, with her numerous children by numerous fathers, dreams of Willie, a very small man who was the love of her life. Captain Cat, the blind bell-ringer, thinks of all the sailors he knew who died at sea. Mr. Pugh dreams of poisoning his wife, and young Gwenny, who has extorted pennies from the little boys who do NOT want to kiss her, plans for the next day and more pennies.

The sound effects provide context for the drama without overpowering the narrative--a cock's crow, the clip-clop of horses, the bark of dogs, footsteps, the sea, bell buoys--and simple songs add to the realism and the sense of character and place. A mournful tune performed by Polly Garter in a minor key, as she remembers Willie and compares him to her other lovers, is beautifully sung by Diana Maddox, her clear, bell-like voice and almost palpable sadness making her one of the most memorable of the characters. A humorous children's singing game, sung by local school children, gives added realism, and little Gwenny's song to three very young boys is delightfully cheeky. Both enchanting and historically important, this memorable recording is worth seeking through Used sites or through amazon.co.uk--the best recording ever made of this wonderful "play for voices." Mary Whipple


Now this is more like it, 04 Apr 2006
Richard Burtons voice simply brings this audiobook to life.The majority of readers and listeners are more used to this version than Thomases original radio performance.

The characters are brought to life by a more than eager cast of well known personalities.

According to the accompanying script with this audio cd version
Thomas first aired his play on 14 May 1953 in New York on one of his lecture tours there.The recording we have here was totally revised and more the better for it and broadcast on 11 October 1963 a full ten years after its original airing.

What a contrast in style,the original 53 version is raw and unpolished and without Burtons commanding voice.
This 1963 edition is a revalation and was one of several transcripts with different cast members all bringing their own particular talent to this marvelous play.

If you must listen to the 1953 original you must remember this is not the finished article.To really appreciate the play turn to this BBC Radio Collection version it literally jumps out at you with its vigour and joy.

BUY-BUY- BUY THIS VERSION IT IS WORTHY OF ITS 5 STAR RATING MANY TIMES OVER !!

Under Milk Wood, 02 Sep 2002
The BBC recording of the 'play for voices' with Richard Burton as the lead narrator, is a wonderful creation. The story of South-West Wales fishing village, following the life of the village as a single day passes, it is a glorious composition of finely drawn characters. The word play is poetic, the inter-twined lives of the voices are surreal, the atmosphere is tangible. There is comedy and pathos as the author and the superb cast of voices draw out the stories within the village. It's best listened to in the dark, start to finish, in one sitting. Let the pictures flood through your mind; the words and voices are so evocative. Then read it to yourself, preferably with a well-annotated version that explains all the nuances and subtleties. You will not be able to read it without hearing Richard Burton's rich voice in your mind and seeing again the village, cascading down the hills to the little harbour, and every place within where a little drama is happening. Unforgetable.

The Welsh Shakespeare, 23 Aug 2001
This being the first play I read in my whole life,it tends to be kind of sentimental, and without wanting to sound too patriotic, find everything of Dylan's a stroke of genius. The whole Play captures the atmosphere of a typical welsh town perfectly. Dylan is an icon who has inspired so many great artists, such as; Bob dylan(took his stage name from him), Mick jagger and David Bowie. Mr.Thomas I salute you!!!!

our resident geinus, 17 Nov 2006
Although the material and take on life are completely different Alan Bennett shares with William S Burroughs a voice that just sucks you into the narrative and makes impossible thereafter to read without hearing the voice in your head. I seldom buy spoken word recordings but sometimes it is a must. Having read (or not ) the books I can close my eyes and be transported in the same way that music works, which is saying something from my perspective.

I haven't actaually heard this yet but I do have 3 others by him and I know in advance that it cannot be recommend too highly.

The mundaity of it all speaks to and for all of us and above everything else it is the honesty and truth that humbles us. Alan knows that the smallest things have the biggest impact.

A definite hit with me.

Entertaining, 02 Feb 2006
I bought this book with a gift certificate. I am not from England so much of the geography and names go right over me. However, there is a style of writing here that attracts me to every page. It is almost as if I have known A Bennett or he has known me all my/his life. I am sharing his thoughts and deeds throught these years. Mr Bennett is very understated.

Listen with Alan, 15 Dec 2005
Listening to Alan Bennett reading his work adds an extra dimension - it's rather like an old friend confiding his private and personal memories. I'm not a fan of audiobooks but this one's an exception and worth replaying.

laughing in london, 30 Mar 2004
This book's credibility can only be judged by the authenticity of the dialects recorded on the tape, which is accompanied by a pamphlet that has brief info on pitch and intonation, then the written text of the recordings. Unfortunately, the dialects on the recording are stereotypical, staged and horrendously bad - none of them are approaching any level of believability. This stands as fairly strong evidence to support the general observation that many American actors can't seem to manage any dialect other than the one they speak naturally. The readings are by Dr David Alan Stern, who states that he has been employed as a dialect coach in Hollywood to many stars who can't seem to speak in an assumed dialect (Mike Farrell, Jack Klugman, Geena Davis, Olympia Dukakis). They must have gotten something out the experience-but this, as it stands, is mainly a good laugh, particularly the English, Texas and Irish accents-they are completely over the top and unlike any native speakers I've heard from those areas. I give two stars for the effort, though, and some insight into the thought process of a "dialetician to the stars."

If anything, Othello has increased its stature as one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies ever since it was first written, between 1603 and 1604, due to the victimisation suffered by its tragic hero, Othello, as a result of his skin colour. Othello is a "noble Moor", a North African Muslim who has converted to Christianity and is deemed one of the Venetian state's most reliable soldiers. However, his ensign Iago harbours an obscure hatred against his general, and when Othello secretly marries the beautiful daughter of the Venetian senator Brabanzio, Iago begins his subtle campaign of vilification which will inevitably lead to the deaths of more than just Othello and Desdemona.

An extraordinary play, both for its dramatic economy and power as well as its remarkable language, from Othello's bombastic "traveller's history" to Desdemona's elegiac "willow song", the play raises uncomfortable questions about ongoing problems of not only racial identity but also sexuality, as Othello and Desdemona's sexual relationship becomes the voyeuristic site of Iago's attempt to destroy them. Particularly fascinated with the question of what it means to "see", Othello also contains one of the greatest tragic death scenes in all of Shakespeare, with Othello's final identification with "a malignant and a turbaned Turk". --Jerry Brotton

Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, 04 May 2008

'To begin at the beginning'...

I was arranging a visit to Mousehole, Cornwall and whilst researching my visit (incredibly sad, yes - well informed, yes) I stumbled across Thomas' connections with this pretty village. A friend of his, Wyn Henderson, owned the now demolished 'Lobster Pot' harbourside. Thomas delighted in the village and proclaimed that he too, wanted to live somewhere like that. Llareggub, the fictional village Thomas describes is based on another harbourside village in Wales, but the influence of Mousehole on Thomas' creative thoughts is distinctly recognisable to anyone who has visited it and whilst I was reading, I imagined Mousehole through his eyes - the buildings and characters so incredibly vivid. We wandered along the harbour at night after a drink in the local hostelry - finding it silent and still, save the sound of waves against the sea walls.

This is a beautiful piece of writing: lyrical, humourous, quirky and theatrical. The voice of the narrator is particularly intelligent:

'You can hear the love-sick woodpigeons mooning in bed. A dog barks in his sleep, farmyards away. The town ripples like a lake in the waking haze.'

A picture of a community painted in words. Genius.

aruffledmind-k.blogspot

"Time passes. Listen. Time passes.", 30 Dec 2007
Written as a "play for voices" for the BBC, this historic audiotape features the all-Welsh cast of the original BBC production from 1954. Richard Burton is the First Voice, which connects all the characters, played by twenty-eight men, women, and children. With perfect diction and the sense of character which only a great actor can convey, Burton rolls his R's, modulates his voice in pitch and intensity, and makes Thomas's poetry come fully alive--full of alliteration and various kinds of rhyme, with nouns and adjectives used as verbs to convey action and sense impressions simultaneously, and always a wry humor and honesty of feeling.

Depicting one full day in the life of a small town in Wales, Thomas shows its motley residents as they awaken, perform their daily tasks, socialize, gossip, and daydream about the past that might have been and the future that may yet hold hope. When night falls and the residents retire, their losses and disappointments, along with their escapes into dreams, are given voice and poignancy. Polly Garter, with her numerous children by numerous fathers, dreams of Willie, a very small man who was the love of her life. Captain Cat, the blind bell-ringer, thinks of all the sailors he knew who died at sea. Mr. Pugh dreams of poisoning his wife, and young Gwenny, who has extorted pennies from the little boys who do NOT want to kiss her, plans for the next day and more pennies.

The sound effects provide context for the drama without overpowering the narrative--a cock's crow, the clip-clop of horses, the bark of dogs, footsteps, the sea, bell buoys--and simple songs add to the realism and the sense of character and place. A mournful tune performed by Polly Garter in a minor key, as she remembers Willie and compares him to her other lovers, is beautifully sung by Diana Maddox, her clear, bell-like voice and almost palpable sadness making her one of the most memorable of the characters. A humorous children's singing game, sung by local school children, gives added realism, and little Gwenny's song to three very young boys is delightfully cheeky. Both enchanting and historically important, this memorable recording is worth seeking through Used sites or through amazon.co.uk--the best recording ever made of this wonderful "play for voices." Mary Whipple


Now this is more like it, 04 Apr 2006
Richard Burtons voice simply brings this audiobook to life.The majority of readers and listeners are more used to this version than Thomases original radio performance.

The characters are brought to life by a more than eager cast of well known personalities.

According to the accompanying script with this audio cd version
Thomas first aired his play on 14 May 1953 in New York on one of his lecture tours there.The recording we have here was totally revised and more the better for it and broadcast on 11 October 1963 a full ten years after its original airing.

What a contrast in style,the original 53 version is raw and unpolished and without Burtons commanding voice.
This 1963 edition is a revalation and was one of several transcripts with different cast members all bringing their own particular talent to this marvelous play.

If you must listen to the 1953 original you must remember this is not the finished article.To really appreciate the play turn to this BBC Radio Collection version it literally jumps out at you with its vigour and joy.

BUY-BUY- BUY THIS VERSION IT IS WORTHY OF ITS 5 STAR RATING MANY TIMES OVER !!

Under Milk Wood, 02 Sep 2002
The BBC recording of the 'play for voices' with Richard Burton as the lead narrator, is a wonderful creation. The story of South-West Wales fishing village, following the life of the village as a single day passes, it is a glorious composition of finely drawn characters. The word play is poetic, the inter-twined lives of the voices are surreal, the atmosphere is tangible. There is comedy and pathos as the author and the superb cast of voices draw out the stories within the village. It's best listened to in the dark, start to finish, in one sitting. Let the pictures flood through your mind; the words and voices are so evocative. Then read it to yourself, preferably with a well-annotated version that explains all the nuances and subtleties. You will not be able to read it without hearing Richard Burton's rich voice in your mind and seeing again the village, cascading down the hills to the little harbour, and every place within where a little drama is happening. Unforgetable.

The Welsh Shakespeare, 23 Aug 2001
This being the first play I read in my whole life,it tends to be kind of sentimental, and without wanting to sound too patriotic, find everything of Dylan's a stroke of genius. The whole Play captures the atmosphere of a typical welsh town perfectly. Dylan is an icon who has inspired so many great artists, such as; Bob dylan(took his stage name from him), Mick jagger and David Bowie. Mr.Thomas I salute you!!!!

our resident geinus, 17 Nov 2006
Although the material and take on life are completely different Alan Bennett shares with William S Burroughs a voice that just sucks you into the narrative and makes impossible thereafter to read without hearing the voice in your head. I seldom buy spoken word recordings but sometimes it is a must. Having read (or not ) the books I can close my eyes and be transported in the same way that music works, which is saying something from my perspective.

I haven't actaually heard this yet but I do have 3 others by him and I know in advance that it cannot be recommend too highly.

The mundaity of it all speaks to and for all of us and above everything else it is the honesty and truth that humbles us. Alan knows that the smallest things have the biggest impact.

A definite hit with me.

Entertaining, 02 Feb 2006
I bought this book with a gift certificate. I am not from England so much of the geography and names go right over me. However, there is a style of writing here that attracts me to every page. It is almost as if I have known A Bennett or he has known me all my/his life. I am sharing his thoughts and deeds throught these years. Mr Bennett is very understated.

Listen with Alan, 15 Dec 2005
Listening to Alan Bennett reading his work adds an extra dimension - it's rather like an old friend confiding his private and personal memories. I'm not a fan of audiobooks but this one's an exception and worth replaying.

laughing in london, 30 Mar 2004
This book's credibility can only be judged by the authenticity of the dialects recorded on the tape, which is accompanied by a pamphlet that has brief info on pitch and intonation, then the written text of the recordings. Unfortunately, the dialects on the recording are stereotypical, staged and horrendously bad - none of them are approaching any level of believability. This stands as fairly strong evidence to support the general observation that many American actors can't seem to manage any dialect other than the one they speak naturally. The readings are by Dr David Alan Stern, who states that he has been employed as a dialect coach in Hollywood to many stars who can't seem to speak in an assumed dialect (Mike Farrell, Jack Klugman, Geena Davis, Olympia Dukakis). They must have gotten something out the experience-but this, as it stands, is mainly a good laugh, particularly the English, Texas and Irish accents-they are completely over the top and unlike any native speakers I've heard from those areas. I give two stars for the effort, though, and some insight into the thought process of a "dialetician to the stars."

Sh@kespe@re, 04 Dec 2005
I gave this 5 stars just because it is Shakespeare. However, it is a good play if you can understand it. Also, the villain -Iago- is pretty evil and one of the best that Shakespeare has created.

Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, 04 May 2008

'To begin at the beginning'...

I was arranging a visit to Mousehole, Cornwall and whilst researching my visit (incredibly sad, yes - well informed, yes) I stumbled across Thomas' connections with this pretty village. A friend of his, Wyn Henderson, owned the now demolished 'Lobster Pot' harbourside. Thomas delighted in the village and proclaimed that he too, wanted to live somewhere like that. Llareggub, the fictional village Thomas describes is based on another harbourside village in Wales, but the influence of Mousehole on Thomas' creative thoughts is distinctly recognisable to anyone who has visited it and whilst I was reading, I imagined Mousehole through his eyes - the buildings and characters so incredibly vivid. We wandered along the harbour at night after a drink in the local hostelry - finding it silent and still, save the sound of waves against the sea walls.

This is a beautiful piece of writing: lyrical, humourous, quirky and theatrical. The voice of the narrator is particularly intelligent:

'You can hear the love-sick woodpigeons mooning in bed. A dog barks in his sleep, farmyards away. The town ripples like a lake in the waking haze.'

A picture of a community painted in words. Genius.

aruffledmind-k.blogspot

"Time passes. Listen. Time passes.", 30 Dec 2007
Written as a "play for voices" for the BBC, this historic audiotape features the all-Welsh cast of the original BBC production from 1954. Richard Burton is the First Voice, which connects all the characters, played by twenty-eight men, women, and children. With perfect diction and the sense of character which only a great actor can convey, Burton rolls his R's, modulates his voice in pitch and intensity, and makes Thomas's poetry come fully alive--full of alliteration and various kinds of rhyme, with nouns and adjectives used as verbs to convey action and sense impressions simultaneously, and always a wry humor and honesty of feeling.

Depicting one full day in the life of a small town in Wales, Thomas shows its motley residents as they awaken, perform their daily tasks, socialize, gossip, and daydream about the past that might have been and the future that may yet hold hope. When night falls and the residents retire, their losses and disappointments, along with their escapes into dreams, are given voice and poignancy. Polly Garter, with her numerous children by numerous fathers, dreams of Willie, a very small man who was the love of her life. Captain Cat, the blind bell-ringer, thinks of all the sailors he knew who died at sea. Mr. Pugh dreams of poisoning his wife, and young Gwenny, who has extorted pennies from the little boys who do NOT want to kiss her, plans for the next day and more pennies.

The sound effects provide context for the drama without overpowering the narrative--a cock's crow, the clip-clop of horses, the bark of dogs, footsteps, the sea, bell buoys--and simple songs add to the realism and the sense of character and place. A mournful tune performed by Polly Garter in a minor key, as she remembers Willie and compares him to her other lovers, is beautifully sung by Diana Maddox, her clear, bell-like voice and almost palpable sadness making her one of the most memorable of the characters. A humorous children's singing game, sung by local school children, gives added realism, and little Gwenny's song to three very young boys is delightfully cheeky. Both enchanting and historically important, this memorable recording is worth seeking through Used sites or through amazon.co.uk--the best recording ever made of this wonderful "play for voices." Mary Whipple


Now this is more like it, 04 Apr 2006
Richard Burtons voice simply brings this audiobook to life.The majority of readers and listeners are more used to this version than Thomases original radio performance.

The characters are brought to life by a more than eager cast of well known personalities.

According to the accompanying script with this audio cd version
Thomas first aired his play on 14 May 1953 in New York on one of his lecture tours there.The recording we have here was totally revised and more the better for it and broadcast on 11 October 1963 a full ten years after its original airing.

What a contrast in style,the original 53 version is raw and unpolished and without Burtons commanding voice.
This 1963 edition is a revalation and was one of several transcripts with different cast members all bringing their own particular talent to this marvelous play.

If you must listen to the 1953 original you must remember this is not the finished article.To really appreciate the play turn to this BBC Radio Collection version it literally jumps out at you with its vigour and joy.

BUY-BUY- BUY THIS VERSION IT IS WORTHY OF ITS 5 STAR RATING MANY TIMES OVER !!

Under Milk Wood, 02 Sep 2002
The BBC recording of the 'play for voices' with Richard Burton as the lead narrator, is a wonderful creation. The story of South-West Wales fishing village, following the life of the village as a single day passes, it is a glorious composition of finely drawn characters. The word play is poetic, the inter-twined lives of the voices are surreal, the atmosphere is tangible. There is comedy and pathos as the author and the superb cast of voices draw out the stories within the village. It's best listened to in the dark, start to finish, in one sitting. Let the pictures flood through your mind; the words and voices are so evocative. Then read it to yourself, preferably with a well-annotated version that explains all the nuances and subtleties. You will not be able to read it without hearing Richard Burton's rich voice in your mind and seeing again the village, cascading down the hills to the little harbour, and every place within where a little drama is happening. Unforgetable.

The Welsh Shakespeare, 23 Aug 2001
This being the first play I read in my whole life,it tends to be kind of sentimental, and without wanting to sound too patriotic, find everything of Dylan's a stroke of genius. The whole Play captures the atmosphere of a typical welsh town perfectly. Dylan is an icon who has inspired so many great artists, such as; Bob dylan(took his stage name from him), Mick jagger and David Bowie. Mr.Thomas I salute you!!!!

our resident geinus, 17 Nov 2006
Although the material and take on life are completely different Alan Bennett shares with William S Burroughs a voice that just sucks you into the narrative and makes impossible thereafter to read without hearing the voice in your head. I seldom buy spoken word recordings but sometimes it is a must. Having read (or not ) the books I can close my eyes and be transported in the same way that music works, which is saying something from my perspective.

I haven't actaually heard this yet but I do have 3 others by him and I know in advance that it cannot be recommend too highly.

The mundaity of it all speaks to and for all of us and above everything else it is the honesty and truth that humbles us. Alan knows that the smallest things have the biggest impact.

A definite hit with me.

Entertaining, 02 Feb 2006
I bought this book with a gift certificate. I am not from England so much of the geography and names go right over me. However, there is a style of writing here that attracts me to every page. It is almost as if I have known A Bennett or he has known me all my/his life. I am sharing his thoughts and deeds throught these years. Mr Bennett is very understated.

Listen with Alan, 15 Dec 2005
Listening to Alan Bennett reading his work adds an extra dimension - it's rather like an old friend confiding his private and personal memories. I'm not a fan of audiobooks but this one's an exception and worth replaying.

laughing in london, 30 Mar 2004
This book's credibility can only be judged by the authenticity of the dialects recorded on the tape, which is accompanied by a pamphlet that has brief info on pitch and intonation, then the written text of the recordings. Unfortunately, the dialects on the recording are stereotypical, staged and horrendously bad - none of them are approaching any level of believability. This stands as fairly strong evidence to support the general observation that many American actors can't seem to manage any dialect other than the one they speak naturally. The readings are by Dr David Alan Stern, who states that he has been employed as a dialect coach in Hollywood to many stars who can't seem to speak in an assumed dialect (Mike Farrell, Jack Klugman, Geena Davis, Olympia Dukakis). They must have gotten something out the experience-but this, as it stands, is mainly a good laugh, particularly the English, Texas and Irish accents-they are completely over the top and unlike any native speakers I've heard from those areas. I give two stars for the effort, though, and some insight into the thought process of a "dialetician to the stars."

Sh@kespe@re, 04 Dec 2005
I gave this 5 stars just because it is Shakespeare. However, it is a good play if you can understand it. Also, the villain -Iago- is pretty evil and one of the best that Shakespeare has created.

The Many Appealing Facets of Shakespeare's Talent!, 17 Jul 2004
As You Like It has many qualities to attract readers and audiences. Rosalind is one of the great heroines of all romantic literature. The play has more outstanding speeches than almost any other that has ever been written. Astonishing plot complications are quickly resolved in the simplest possible way, reflecting a playwright's tour de force. The forest of Arden appears as a character in creating a magical atmosphere whereby all perceptions change, and all are healed. Right wins out, especially in drawing on good character . . . even from formerly badly behaving people. And for those who love marriages, this book has one of the most impressive ceremonies of all time in literature. Humans have never looked nobler in the end than in this play. Yet the play also abounds with some of the greatest lines of Shakespeare's fools that cause all of us to see that humility is more called for than pride or ambition. Certainly, As You Like It will make you feel the presence of an unmatched genius, that should inspire even the most arrogant to feel humbled in the Bard's presence.

My recommendation is that you first see a performance (whether in person, or on a recording). If that's not possible, try for an audio. Many outstanding actors have been taped. After you have the sights and sounds of the play firmly in mind, then read the play. You'll find that your earlier experiences will unlock more of the play's depths, imagery and pleasures for you.

Where in life is being true to your word very important? How can you improve your life by being more reliable in this way?