Our community reviewer, Val Ruloff, couldn’t wait to see Under Milk Wood by Theatr Clwyd and Craidd at the Torch Theatre during April. She thoroughly enjoyed! Read her review below ...

"I will say this for her, she never makes a mistake", quoth Mrs Pugh.

"I never make a mistake," confirms Mary Ann Sailors.

What's more- they never do. Not during the whole of this beautifully imagined production. 

Each and every cast member- portraying the glorious horde of characters who tumble into vivid, vibrant view- and volume- scrambling all over each other in a rag-tag, hotch-potch, colourful mixture of comedy and humour, bawdy fun, poignance and loneliness, quiet desperation and darker depths plumbed.

Under Milk Wood tells itself and writes itself fluently, buoyed by intricate, flowing, lyrical and mellifluous poetry as it bounds along with pace and momentum in this stunning, feast for the eyes and ears, production- coming as it does in the wake of boards well-trodden over the years of proud tradition starring the  most illustrious bards and actors. Craidd, mounting this production, are a Welsh company of artists comprising Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent actors. 

The sound and the music powerfully complement the lyricism, capturing a beautiful rhythm which includes the delightful solo pieces sung and also rowdy, robust and primal beats of ensemble dance numbers. Costumes and sets bring the locations and characters vividly and expressively to life.

The lighting and the special effects achieve the creation of fabulous atmosphere as it's conjured up before our eyes.

I was held spellbound- as indeed was the audience overall. Comments were overflowing with high praise and plaudits afterwards.

So-come along and listen to early morning service

as Reverned Eli Jenkins speaks of the "tiny dingle is Milke Wood

By Golden grove 'neath Grongar

But let me choose and oh! I should

Love all my life and longer

To stroll among our trees and stray… .. and hear the Dewi sing all day" 

Not forgetting to join in with Lily Smalls as she dreams and "all night long" goes for a lark "in the Milk Wood dark".