Under Milk Wood
★★★★☆ Accomplished
Bedlam Theatre: Wed 12 – Sat 15 Feb 2025
Review by Hugh Simpson
EUTC’s staging of Under Milk Wood, at the Bedlam until Saturday, is a beautifully realised and engaging piece of theatre.
Dylan Thomas’s 1954 radio play has had theatrical versions before (perhaps most notably, as far as Edinburgh is concerned, in Guy Masterson’s long-running solo version). Any stage adaptation has to cope with the fact that the words are the stars here, and the visual content has to reflect this – something filmed versions in particular have failed to reflect.
A scene from the EUTC production of Under Milk Wood. Pic: John Hoey
However, co-directors Robbie Morris (also responsible for this adaptation) and Molly Gilbert have navigated this admirably, with the result being a coherent and attractive production.
Much of its impact is down to Bella Burgess as the First Voice, the piece’s narrator figure. It is always going to be difficult to escape from the shadow of Richard Burton’s original radio iteration, and the task of conjuring up the scene alone on stage at the beginning is a hugely difficult one. However, Burgess is definitely equal to it, with a performance that is measured, warm and draws the audience in completely.
restrained
Throughout, there are carefully made directorial choices that help the production massively. The decision not to have all of the cast attempt Welsh accents is surely the right one – those that do surface are pretty good, and the other voices (aside from a couple of accents that are a little too off-the-shelf ‘regional’) work very well, with every word utterly clear.
Juliet Gentle’s music and Luke Hardwick’s sound design are restrained and add atmosphere, although Will Lewis’s lighting design appears a little over-ambitious at times.
A scene from the EUTC production of Under Milk Wood. Pic: John Hoey
Aside from the narrator, the cast all play multiple roles. The exception is the blind Captain Cat, although in this version he is less prominent than in those where he remains on stage throughout. Rufus Goodman has an authoritative presence, managing to nail the melancholy aspects of the character, with his scene with the ghost of Rosie Probert (Gentle) particularly affecting.
It is notable that the more contemplative elements – the lost loves, the regrets – are given as much weight as the humorous and grotesque moments. The setting is given here as ‘Llaregyb’ as in the original printed text, rather than Thomas’s preferred ‘Llareggub’ whose reverse-spelling joke was considered too risqué for 1950s readers; perhaps this is a sign that this production is striving after emotional clarity rather than a cheap laugh.
unnecessary
Indeed, the comedy moments do not always completely convince; there is a little too much gurning and straining after a reaction. This is unnecessary, especially when performers such as Ella Peattie, Dan Bryant and Hal Hobson are extremely funny anyway.
A scene from the EUTC production of Under Milk Wood. Pic: John Hoey
The other members of the ensemble – Olivia Dale, Georgia Thomas, Spoons, Bibi Benson and Lily Norris Dugdale – are all versatile, committed and accomplished, with the last named adding genuine pathos as Polly Garter. Benson’s cleanliness-obsessed Mrs Ogmore-Pritchard, meanwhile, is a particular joy.
Leon Lee’s minimalist set design is effective; movement of furniture is done with the minimum of fuss. The directors make imaginative use of the auditorium, and throughout the pacing is careful.
stately
Indeed, at times it verges a little on the stately. The end result – practically two hours in length without an interval – is a shade too long for comfort. Because the pace is not the only thing here that is glacial. The usual warnings about taking several layers, hats and gloves to the Bedlam are more vital here than ever; there is certainly no need for the smoke machine when the cast’s breath is hanging in the air.
Any suitably attired audience member, however, will be thoroughly entertained by this finely judged production.
Running time 1 hour 55 minutes (no interval)
Bedlam Theatre, 11b Bristo Place, EH1 1EZ
Wednesday 12 – Saturday 15 February 2025
Daily at 7.30 pm
Details and tickets: Book here.
Instagram: @undermilkwood.eutc
A scene from the EUTC production of Under Milk Wood. Pic: John Hoey
ENDS
