Famous football journalists, world class novelists and Daleks from Doctor Who are among the features of this year’s Dylan Thomas Festival.
The Dylan Thomas Festival, which lasts from this Saturday (October 26) to Saturday November 9, is the last before celebrations across Wales next year to mark the 100th anniversary of the poet’s birth.
This year’s festival, based at Swansea’s Dylan Thomas Centre and expected to attract visitors from across the world, kicks-off with poet, broadcaster and children’s author Roger McGough, who’ll be reading from his new collection of poetry.
Swansea Council is behind the festival. This year’s event will also feature an evening on Friday November 1 based on the hit Danish TV drama, ‘The Killing’, featuring two of the biggest names writing about it: crime and history novelist David Hewson, and actor, writer and television presenter Emma Kennedy, author of ‘The Killing Handbook’.
A Doctor Who Day is taking place on Saturday November 2 where, to celebrate the Doctor’s 50th anniversary, programme experts will be on hand to discuss its history and future. A children’s art workshop, writers’ panel and visit from the Daleks have also been arranged. Louise Jameson, one of the Doctor’s past companions, will be among the special guests.
The Guardian newspaper’s football weekly podcast is then taking its show on the road to the Dylan Thomas Centre on Monday November 4. Top football journalists James Richardson and Barry Glendenning will be among the experts tackling the previous day’s match between the Swans and Cardiff City and there’ll be a chance for visitors to put questions to the panel.
Cllr Nick Bradley, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “This year’s Dylan Thomas Festival is especially exciting as we head ever closer towards the 100th anniversary of his birth next year.
“The combination of famous football journalists, world class novelists and hugely popular poets with events centred around massively popular programmes like Doctor Who and The Killing means there’ll be something for all ages and interests.
“The Dylan Thomas Festival enhances our reputation for cultural excellence at a time when Swansea Bay is on the shortlist to become UK City of Culture 2017.”
Other features of the festival include a guided tour of Dylan’s Swansea from 11am to 1pm on Sunday November 3. The Fluellen Theatre Company will be on hand with a tour that takes in Dylan Thomas Square, The Three Lamps, the site of the Kardomah, Castle Square and the No Sign Wine Bar.
There will also be an evening of Dylan Thomas readings presented by the Garage Players in his former local, the Uplands Tavern, on Thursday November 7 at 8pm.
Have a look at http://www.dylanthomas.com for more information or call 01792 463980.
