Introduction
Under Milk Wood is a radio play set in the small Welsh seaside town of "Llareggub" and relates the everyday lives, dreams, hopes, fantasies and dark secrets of the rather colourful and some might say, odd townspeople at a time when the world was much smaller and everyone knew everyone else's business. It probably represents Dylan Thomas at his playful, sometimes darkly satirical and lyrical best, especially when performed by a cast of genuine melodic Welsh voices as is the version currently (2025) on the BBC Iplayer which includes Michael Sheen, Sian Phillips and Tom Jones plus many other famous faces. Some of the ideas emanating from the author's imagination about the goings-on in this little Welsh town might seem somewhat bizarre and unlikely and must tell us something about the author's own personality and thought processes.
Reading the work in printed format doesn't quite do it justice, often an individual's own interpretation can lead to the dialogue seeming, disjointed and incoherent at times, and obscure the humour, prompting us to remind ourselves that many of the scenes are concerned with the fantasies and dreams of the inhabitants as they sleep. Indeed in my experience, mention of Mr. Willy Nilly the postman invariably conjures up images of favourite "Postman Pat" episodes, though I know the animated series is not Welsh but set in fictional "Greendale" on the Cumbria - Yorkshire border. However, when delivered by experienced actors the language becomes magical, colourful and profound, its poetic prose oozing charm and bringing the characters to life in fine detail (warts and all), highlighting the quality and inventive skills of a great literary talent.
A short biography of the author and a list of the main characters which includes a brief description of individuals, their place in the community, some background information and a little of the local gossip about them is set out below but I have singled out Eli Jenkins for special mention because of his two major poetic contributions: His prayer for the people and his poem in praise of his beloved home town.
First Voice - is one of two main narrators of the story, has access to the innermost thoughts and dreams of the townspeople of Llareggub, and knowing everything that goes on in their lives, acts as the audience's guide and lets us into all their secrets.
Dylan Thomas was born in Swansea in nineteen fourteen to parents John and Hannah Thomas (nee Williams), a teacher of English and homemaker, seamstress respectively. His talent as a gifted poet and writer was recognised and encouraged from an early age as was his rather difficult personality which was to cause problems for him at school, and in later life lead to bouts of heavy drinking and strained relationships in the workplace and with his Irish born wife, dancer Caitlin Macnamara. The couple had three children, but family life was marred by Thomas's heavy drinking, self destructive and erratic behaviour and their constant financial difficulties.
The Langdales from Moss Eccles Tarn