Post by Adey on Dec 16, 2009 12:47:33 GMT
Just started work on Up n Running's next production, due for performance at the end of April next year.
I was in Pembroke, Wales during the summer, sound and light tech'ing Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing". It was a 5 night run at the Castle. Mrs Adey and I were helping out another Company we have connections with. Whilst we were there, I heard the news that Dylan Thomas's daughter, Aeronwy, had died. This was on my mind during our stay there, and it subsequently prompted me to propose a performance of Thomas's "Under Milk Wood" to our usual Company. My proposal and perfomance concepts were accepted by Up n Running. It means that I've had to step up to directing, which is a little daunting to say the least. But I'm assured of all co-operation and resources between now and April.
"Under Milk Wood (a play for voices)" is almost certainly the most famous of all Welsh Plays, and is performed often in Welsh Theatres (it's always on somewhere). It is however rarely performed in England, being so closely associated with Wales. However as a Welshman 'living over the border', I wanted to bring the work to the attention of English amateur theatre audiences. I also wanted English voices in my production, precisely because it's NOT the way things should be done! I have already found my 'First Voice' and it will be a big challenge for that performer - previous First Voice's have been performed by Dylan Thomas himself, most famously by Richard Burton and more recently by Anthony (Silence of the Lambs) Hopkins. Obviously my provincial production won't be on that scale, but I hope to come close to those artisitic heights at least.
American Forum members, may be particularly interested to know that I intend to re-create Thomas's first full perfomances in New York 1953, as the basis of my show. I will also be taking a lead from an audio only production by George Martin, and will be filling the work with as much music as I can compose between now and my deadline next year. This is where the real work will be done for me. I will finally have the chance to really explore my Welsh heritage and to build a bridge between the Celtic folk music of Wales and the more industrial folk music of England. I expect more than a few "Kate Bushisms" to escape my mind set along the way..
"To begin at the beginning.."
I was in Pembroke, Wales during the summer, sound and light tech'ing Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing". It was a 5 night run at the Castle. Mrs Adey and I were helping out another Company we have connections with. Whilst we were there, I heard the news that Dylan Thomas's daughter, Aeronwy, had died. This was on my mind during our stay there, and it subsequently prompted me to propose a performance of Thomas's "Under Milk Wood" to our usual Company. My proposal and perfomance concepts were accepted by Up n Running. It means that I've had to step up to directing, which is a little daunting to say the least. But I'm assured of all co-operation and resources between now and April.
"Under Milk Wood (a play for voices)" is almost certainly the most famous of all Welsh Plays, and is performed often in Welsh Theatres (it's always on somewhere). It is however rarely performed in England, being so closely associated with Wales. However as a Welshman 'living over the border', I wanted to bring the work to the attention of English amateur theatre audiences. I also wanted English voices in my production, precisely because it's NOT the way things should be done! I have already found my 'First Voice' and it will be a big challenge for that performer - previous First Voice's have been performed by Dylan Thomas himself, most famously by Richard Burton and more recently by Anthony (Silence of the Lambs) Hopkins. Obviously my provincial production won't be on that scale, but I hope to come close to those artisitic heights at least.
American Forum members, may be particularly interested to know that I intend to re-create Thomas's first full perfomances in New York 1953, as the basis of my show. I will also be taking a lead from an audio only production by George Martin, and will be filling the work with as much music as I can compose between now and my deadline next year. This is where the real work will be done for me. I will finally have the chance to really explore my Welsh heritage and to build a bridge between the Celtic folk music of Wales and the more industrial folk music of England. I expect more than a few "Kate Bushisms" to escape my mind set along the way..
"To begin at the beginning.."