Dylan Thomas- celebration of his birth 100 years ago

October 27th was the 100th anniversary of Dylan Thomas's birth. Throughout the year there has been a recognition and celebration of his work. Last night saw the conclusion of 36-hour live performance of the Swansea poet's work at Swansea Grand Theatre . Opening at 11am on Sunday, October 26 and coming to an end at 11pm on Monday, October 27 100 years to the day on which Dylan Thomas was born.

It was not only in his hometown of Swansea that poet Dylan Thomas’ birth was celebrated, but in various events around the world. Including in New York where Welsh actor Michael Sheen's production of Under Milk Wood made its debut on the same stage where the work premiered in 1953. The show was broadcast simultaneously on radio both in America and across the Atlantic. The return to New York was fitting as it was where the play was first performed on stage, but in the same year, it was also where Dylan Thomas died in November 1953 at the age of 39.

He is also particularly remembered in the town of Laugharne (Welsh: Talacharn) which is situated on the estuary of the River Tâf in Carmarthanshire (Welsh: Sir Gaerfyrddin or Sir Gâr) in south-west Wales. Dylan Thomas’s parents grew up across the estuary, and he spent his childhood summers nearby on his aunt’s farm. He lived in the area on and off for 15 years, including four years before his death.  It is said that it was the inspiration for many of the characters in the fictional town of Llareggub in Under Milk Wood. The Boathouse, where Thomas lived is still there. 

The play was originally written for radio and later adapted for the theatre. The narrator, a radio role famously played by Welsh actor Richard Burton in the original 1954 version,  invites the audience to listen to the private thoughts and dreams of the inhabitants of Llareggub, a fictional small Welsh fishing village. 

Celebrations of Dylan Thomas continue with the launch of Swansea’s annual Dylan Thomas Festival which runs until November 9.