Guy Masterson Productions & TTI present

UNDER MILK WOOD by Dylan Thomas
	play by Dylan Thomas performed by Guy Masterson directed by Tony Boncza (with original direction by george dillon) Original Music by Matt Clifford The Show A Spellbinding, mesmeric, enchanting one-man physical interpretation of Dylan Thomas' magical classic. This legendary internationally acclaimed performance just keeps getting better and better. Now in it's 14th year! History WORLD PREMIÈRE: Traverse Theatre Edinburgh, February 14th 1994 EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 1994, 1996 2000, 2003 & 2007 @ Assembly Rooms Domestic & International touring 1994-present West End, London - Arts Theatre April 21-May 25,1997, Bloomsbury Theatre, London May 30th to June 5th 2005	All show dates Brochure copy Images Technical CD Excerpts Media Release
"ONE OF THE MOST INVENTIVE, REMARKABLE PERFORMANCES OF THE DECADE." (The Times - May 1997)

Under Milk Wood: Synopsis

Under Milk Wood:

Media Release

Adelaide Fringe Festival 2008

Guy Masterson has, single handed, instilled into Adelaide audiences a deep love for the works of Dylan Thomas through his marvellous performances over the last few years of these texturally rich works. For the third year in a row he is playing to packed theatres with his unique rendition of Under Milk Wood, a glimpse of 24 hours in the life of a Welsh fishing village. Masterson has a deep understanding of this piece and in his superb and very physical performance he brings out all of the imagery in the descriptive sections whilst creating a myriad of quirky characters. Terrific!
Barry Lenny (Ripitup Magazine, Adelaide, 10/03/08)

The music that is Dylan Thomas never sounds sweeter than when it is delivered by an actor of the calibre of Guy Masterson. The many and varied characters who inhabit sleepy Llareggub stir to life with Masterson's epic efforts.
He wends his way through 69 dfferent characters, each distinct and different. With the backdrop of Thomas' beautiful words, Masterson uses his entire being to represent the people and surrounds of this 'typical' Welsh village.
This well presented production is enhanced by excellent lighting and background sound. Matt Clifford's soundscape provides a further depth to an already well developed production. Tony Boncza should be applauded for his well paced direction of something that is easy to overplay.
Even if you have seen it before, this is a must see. Fran Edwards (Adelaide Theatre Guide 07/03/09)

Guy Masterson returns to the Fringe with his wonderful interpretation of Dylan Thomas' story. Masterson handles the incredible workload expertly and with great affection. He plays every part with meaning, from Captain Cat, the blind old sea captain, to the children playing in the schoolyard. The conversations between Mr and Mrs Pugh are marvellous, but it is probably foolish to single out any single aspect of the show. I could almost see the street scenes from the village as the residents went about their daily business. For two hours, Llareggub was there before me. The simple, yet effective, lighting and sound augment Masterson's performance, and the whole thing is a joy to watch. There's one performance of Under Milk Wood to come - get your ticket now.
David Robinson (Ripitup Magazine, Adelaide, 07/03/08)

Guy Masterson's one man production of Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood was one of the most popular performances at last year's Fringe and is one of the most critically-acclaimed to appear this year. All the praise this performances receives is well deserved.
Masterson somehow physically and mentally manages to perform all the characters in the play (approximately 50) with nothing more than a wooden chair, a small band of technicians and a pair of cotton pajamas. However, this is only half the achievement. He not only manages to perform all the characters in Thomas's sweeping portrait of a small Welsh town, but he manages to give each and every one a distinct personality. This not only makes viewing the play easier, as changes in gesture and voice make characters discernable, but it also allows Masterson to give life to the play's minor characters including The Postman, Organ Morgan and The Preacher.
Dylan Thomas is one of the most mythical literary figures of the 20th century and hearing Masterson deliver his lyrical dialogue and gorgeously articulated ideas about human triviality and the labyrinth of dreams is a wonderful experience. No theatre lover should deprive themselves of Milk Wood's enduring charms. Playing once more at the Royalty Theatre on 10 March.
Barlow Redfern (Adelaide Independent Weekly 05/03/08)

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2008

Just occasionally we are reminded what Fringe Theatre is really all about - brilliant performances and the very best of theatre production. Yesterday between 2.15 and 4.15 in the Assembly rooms, I had the great privilege of attending a masterclass of Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood by Guy Masterson. Productions of this all-too-rare calibre, give us the yardstick by which all future reviews will be measured. Guy Masterson two hour solo performance of Thomas' major work Under Milk Wood does not have a parallel, it stands on its own as easily the best production of this piece by any actor. Burton may have had the voice, but Masterson's physical portraits of almost seventy characters, kept a full house in the Music room on the edge of their seats. An audience, I must add who were, in majority, senior enough to have been aware of the original Burton production and were no strangers to Dylan Thomas's wonderful canon. Guy Masterson's love of Thomas's work was very evident in his 2001 Fern Hill production, but as brilliant as it was, it came a poor second to this wonderful performance. The physical comic portraits by Masterson, of all characters from Mr and Mrs Pugh to the child Gwennie Gwennie were all given individual colours and brush strokes to create a composition to rival Marc Chagall's masterpiece I And My Village. The greatly deserved standing ovation that he received at the end of his extraordinary two hour performance speaks more eloquently than any words this reviewer could scribe. Thank you Mr Masterson, for reminding us why we should love great wordsmiths and superb theatre. If you see no other theatre performance at the Fringe, and you see next Monday's only other performance you will see the very best that the Edinburgh Festival has to offer."
John Richie Edinburghguide.com 15/08/07)

Actor Guy Masterson has become one of the Fringe's leading theatre producers with a growing list of popular and critical successes, but he dates the beginning of his success to this remarkable one-man show that he first performed in February 1994.
Dylan Thomas's 'play for voices' describes in wonderful poetic language a day in the fictional tiny Welsh village of Llareggub from before anyone is awake until the time they all return to their beds. It is written to be told by two narrators, referred to as 'first voice' and 'second voice', but also weaves into the story a cast of 69 beautifully-drawn characters, from the old blind Captain Cat dreaming of long dead loves and colleagues to lovers-by-correspondence-only Miss Myfanwy Price and Mr Mog Edwards to Polly Garter and her babies from different fathers to Mr Pugh who dreams of poisoning his wife.
In the programme, Masterson says he was influenced by the work of Berkoff to create a physical theatre production of the play after 'having been a "neck-up" actor for my entire career'. There is certainly a great deal of physicality to his performance, but this is more a vocal tour-de-force than a physical one. There are physical and vocal differences between the characters, but they are not all immediately and uniquely identifiable; however this does not at all detract from the clarity of the piece, which Masterson sings out over the packed auditorium without causing any doubt about who is speaking or being spoken about at any time. There are some lovely touches in his performance that really bring out the humour in the piece and also create some genuinely moving moments.
Matt Clifford's sound cleverly weaves sound effects and music around the words in a way that subtly enhances the whole piece. There are many one-man shows on the Fringe and many that claim to perform a whole story, play or film, but this is the real thing. In about an hour and three quarters with just one performer and a chair onstage, there are no dull moments, and the fact that one person can sustain a gripping performance at such a pace for this length of time is very impressive.
David Chadderton (British Theatre Guide 21/08/07)

ADELAIDE FRINGE FESTIVAL 2007

"Dressed only in a pair of pyjamas, Guy Masterson takes to the stage and creates an amazing variety of characters in this classic Dylan Thomas play.
As this was originally performed on radio, the language is descriptive, and each character is formed out of the text, enabling Masterson to slip seamlessly between all of the characters and both narrators!
Masterson is a brilliant performer, and holds the audience spellbound through the one and three quarter hours of the show. Whether he is playing Captain Cat, the old, blind sea captain, or Mrs Ogmore-Pritchard dreaming of her dead husbands, his portrayals are completely convincing.
The only set is a wooden chair, and the only props are a pair of sunglasses and a pair of drinking glasses. Using stark lighting with no colour in the rig, haunting shadows are cast on the black walls of the theatre, and a soundscape by Matt Clifford complements the text.
What happens in a day in the village of "Llareggub?" Spell it backwards! Never has nothing happening been so spellbinding, entertaining and enjoyable."
Simon SLade (theatreguide.com.au)

AUDIENCE COMMENTS FROM THE ADELAIDE FRINGE 2007: (Source: www.talkfringe.com)

Pete Whetton wrote: Stunning. That one man can create a visual picture of a village, fill the stage with characters and do so with love of the language, is beyond belief. Glad I gave up the theatre years ago this man has more talent than any other 5 actors I know! A dream performance that brought tears of joy. Oh what Dylan Thomas could have done if he had lived longer.

Squealer wrote: This is simply a five pig show. Possibly the best offering of Fringe 07?

Fred Fringe wrote: This was incredible! (See my review for Fern Hill!) Very little can be added except that he has to be the most exceptional performer we have on the Fringe this year? Or, given his 12 Angry Men in 2004 and his Milk Wood last year... EVER? Go and see this. It is extraordinary.

MitchDJ wrote: Amazing performance - I was stunned by this artist's ability to memorise nearly 2 hours of monologue, let alone his physical and emotional portrayal of the village characters. Well done!! Perspiring in pyjamas clearly better than a 3 piece suit! If you love Dylan Thomas, definitely see this.

Emma wrote: This was hugely enjoyable, I liked some of the quotes about life and death, and it was easy to paint a picture of this town.

Sylvia Marsh wrote: I saw this tonight. The place was PACKED with people sitting in the aisles. The temp must have been over 30 in there and he did not miss a beat! Dripping wet for nearly two hours, he held us enthralled. Simply extraordinary! I've never seen anything like it. The words tumbled out of him in one huge lyrical splurge! It is a stunning piece of theatre. My hat is off to you Mr Masterson. Your energy and invention know no bounds!

The Dude wrote: Fabulous Acting. 5 Stars for the acting. I hadn't read or heard the play so it took a while to get my head around it. After reading about the play afterwards appreciated it even more. Great to see.

Kate wrote: A brilliant piece of theatre. Masterson's energy does not drop in the 105mins he is on stage, transforming from character to character wonderfully. The physicality coupled with the honesty of Masterson's performance paints a beautiful, touching picture of a day in the life of the townsfolk. A must-see!

Actorboy wrote: I want to be an actor but after seeing this, I'm not sure I will ever be. Words cannot describe the virtuosity and versatility of this performer! A body that can play young girls and boys, sexy women, angry men, sad old sailors, whores, tramps and a voice that seems to have no bounds. And a genius memory! Part of me wants to give up the dream. The other wants to just do it. Masterson throws all of himself into his shows but it's never too much. So I will too. Totally inspiring. GO GO GO!

Simon Slade wrote: Guy Masterson is astounding. He plays all the characters and slips seamlessly between them. See my review at www.theatreguide.com.au

Georgie wrote: I saw this last year and was blown away and I simply can't agree with Lynn. The performance alone deserves 4 stars even if you don't like one-man shows. I am recommending this to anyone and everyone. We are lucky to have a performer of Guy Masterson's callibre at the Fringe. In Australia! He's an extraordinary talent of the sort that you only see rarely in life... So go and enjoy! You'll not regret it.

TRON THEATRE, GLASGOW (November 2006)

" There's no denying that Guy Masterson's solo version of Dylan Thomas's "play for voices" is a piece with a pedigree, performed to acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe, in the West End and around the world.
Completed months before Thomas's death in 1953, Under Milk Wood is an exuberant account of the deeds and imaginings of a small Welsh coastal community on a single spring day. Its combination of bold comic characterisation and playful linguistic panache offer vivid opportunities in performance, but demand tremendous energy and skill.
Masterson's interpretation is an Alpine achievement, of which memorising almost two hours of monologue is merely the foothills. What's remarkable is that he tackles it not with an ice-axe, but with a loving caress. Clad in striped pyjamas - suggested by the opening sequence, in which the town lies dormant and dreaming - he requires only a pair of dark glasses and a chair to usher its 70-odd citizens through their day.
At the heart of his approach is an affection for the characters: he embraces each one in turn like an old friend, placing his flesh and his voice at their disposal. The scheming wife-poisoner Mr Pugh is incarnated as vigorously as the frisky teenager Mae Rose Cottage, and Masterson makes astute use of tiny idiosyncrasies and adjustments of posture to delineate his enormous cast. Yet however fully he abandons himself to them, we never quite lose sight of the narrator's puckish guiding spirit.
In 2003, this show gained an important new element: a soundtrack by Rolling Stones collaborator Matt Clifford. This complements Masterson's bravura effort beautifully, providing not only a score for music obsessive Organ Morgan but also a host of minute aural enhancements. The precision with which these - and the dramatic changes of lighting - are timed emphasises the skill underlying this apparently effortless performance. In fact, Masterson did seem a little under par on this occasion, his booming Welsh vowels perhaps a touch less sonorous than they might have been, but there's no arguing with the joyful vivacity and tenderness he brought to Thomas's sprawling and unruly brood.
Andrew Burnet - (The Scotsman, November 17th, 2006)

UNION HALL, ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL FRINGE FESTIVAL 2006

"With nothing but a white chair, an old pair of striped pyjamas, and a poetic script, Guy Masterson creates the entire village of Milk Wood. All in all it's an inspirational solo performance of Dylan Thomas' lyrical text 'Under Milk Wood'.
We're taken through the cycle of one day in Milk Wood, the classic Welsh seaside town. The town's inhabitants begin asleep, dreaming their dreams, and then slowly as they wake we're introduced to their lives as well. Nothing out of the ordinary happens on this particular day in Milk Wood but you're still riveted to your seat.
Masterson produces many different characters from the young child with his mother to the old blind man listening to the children in the street. Each character has their story and their relationships with other characters but each is equally enjoyable to meet. Because of the poetry and clever character work of Masterson, you're never confused as to what is happening, even when we are allowed into the private thoughts and the public front of Mr Pugh while he eats his breakfast with Mrs Pugh; all played simultaneously by Masterson.
The clever and simple design allows the mind to explore the imagery that the text creates. The lighting follows the sun, creating a marvellous and long shadow of Masterson on the crisp black curtain behind him, enlarging his skilful antics."
Toni Main - (db Magazine - March 1st, 2006)

" BEAUTIFUL SOLO PERFORMANCE... It's hard to imagine the small Welsh fishing village of Under Milk Wood finding a more affectionate voice for its community than Guy Masterson. The actor coaxes, caresses and cajoles into life more than 50 characters in Dylan Thomas's enduring protrait, in a performance of almost unnatural physical grace.
Masterson's lilting Welsh accent and sonorous voice were made for Thomas' writing. The revelation is the way he uses the bulk of his pyjama-clad body to convey a world of human experience, from children playing, to women weeping, to drunks roaring.
At times Masterson seems to float on stage like imagination personified... It's a beautiful solo performance..."
Louise Nunn - (Adelaide Advertiser, February 28th, 2006)

" POETIC & INTENSE... Guy Masterson does a masterful one-man turn as the 69 different characters in Dylan Thomas's classic Under Milkwood. With nothing more than a stage, a chair, well-timed lighting and music, and his and Thomas's extensive talents, Masterson is energetic, articulate and entertaining. It's a tough act to pull off: nearly two hours - without interval - of poetic narrative and shifting between characters; But Masterson never tires, never flinches, never wanes. Suddenly, a canonical work enshrined in the British national syllabus becomes fresh again, without the cheeky tendency toward modernising, never detouring far from Thomas's original intention. Be prepared to be immersed, and to afterward rush home to dust-off old your copy of Thomas from your library's upper shelf."
Miguel Syjuco - (Adelaide Independent Weekly February 27th, 2006)

AUDIENCE COMMENTS FROM THE ADELAIDE FRINGE 2006: (Source: www.talkfringe.com)

Had heard about the show when I was in Edinburgh in 2003 but didn't see it. I saw his 12 Angry Men there and here and it was fantastic! I didn't get until he told us at the end that he was in it! This guy's amazing! Brilliant performer, director. His one man Milk Wood is incredible. As an actor, you could be either inspired or completely put off by this man because he almost too good to be true. But its true. It is an amazing performance of a great piece of writing. All actors should see this.
(Blokey - 06/03/06)

Theatre doesn't get better than this! A must see. Astonishingly rich words delivered by Guy Masterson in a highly entertaining style that had me laughing a lot. He didn't skip a beat in a performance that takes a lot of energy and MEMORY like you probably didn't know a person was capable of.
(Dijana - 05/03/06)

This was INCREDIBLE! A standing ovation from nearly the entire audience said it all. Guy Masterson was dripping wet after 5 mins and didn't stop for another 100! What a memory and performance. Nothing on stage but him and the words. The best I've ever heard. Amazing!
(Joy To Behold - 07/03/06)

Wow. A beautiful piece of theatre, beautifully performed. This was my first introduction to Dylan Thomas' work, and what a powerhouse of an introduction it was. Wednesday is the last night - go see it!
(Boots - 07/03/06)

OK... nearly all the reviews for this guy are from babes... YOU CAN SEE WHY! This guy is sweet! Not your normal sex god - but WOW... after ten minutes he has you eating out of his hand! He is amazingly sexy as girls and boys. His nuance is shocking! I was completely blown away. Go see him girls... Sorry, it finished tonight... Ha ha! He'll be back... we hope!
(Wow Babe - 08/03/06)

This has been the highlight of the Fringe for me. I know the original Richard Burton version quite well, but this was even better, and provided a startlingly fresh insight into Dylan Thomas's 's genius. 12 Angry Men, now this. What next? I cant wait..
(Miray - 09/03/06)

Nice reviews! I would agree with most of the comments below. I went when there was obviously a problem with the lights and the microphone, but Masterson didn't seem to mind! 102 mins is long for a fringe show, but I don't see how you could leave anything out of this. But it was so entertaining that the time did not matter. Music fantastic. Writing superb. Performance terrific. My first show and could be the best!
(Elisabeth - 01/03/06)

WOW! This was a surprise. I was taken by my boyfriend and had no idea what I was coming to. I thought it was stand-up! My hat comes off to you Mr Masterson! A performance like nothing I have ever seen. Dylan Thomas is awesome. SO funny! And Guy M is amazing. A beautiful voice and his mime and movement were perfect. He was especially good that the girl parts! And Matt Clifford's music really set off the words nicely. A really wonderful evening! Thanks!
(Joanna B - 28/01/06)

Technical difficulties aside, this was amazing! Got in for free, but wish I'd paid now. Could be the best perf on the fringe. One bloke, a pair of pajamas and a chair! Awesome dude!
(TechnofreaK - 28/02/06)

I have NEVER seen anything like this! I thought I knew Milk Wood, but I had only scratched the surface. It is sooooo beautiful to listen to and Guy Masterson is quite extraordinary to watch. I gather he's been dong this for some time (10 years?) and you can tell. He is totally inside it. He IS it! The reviews on his programme said it all. If I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't have believed it! Go, go, go!
(A Tidy Wife - 28/02/06)

Great perfomance, apart from the problem with the mike half way through. Guy did a fine job handling it without missing a beat, but it was a bit distracting (unfortunately). Also difficult to follow consistently but the 'script' was so evocative and Guy's performance so energised that it kept drawing me back in. Wonderful stuff! Inspires me to re-read the original.
(Halcyon - 28/02/06)

If you like your actors to work, and work hard, then this is the show for you. One man, an entire town of characters and 100minutes to convey a 24hour period (dreams and all). Interesting and sombre, funny and sad."
(Cassandra - 27/02/06)

Utterly compelling genius writing and an amazing performance from a master. I was intrigued how one person could do the whole thing on his own, but within seconds he had me eating out of his palm! A mesmerising lesson in performance! I'm gobsmacked!
(Natasha - 27/02/06)

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE - JANUARY 2005

There is no doubt that Guy Masterson is a consummate man of the theatre. His company has produced nearly forty productions since its inception in 1991. He is a major force at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where his productions have won many awards including best Actor in 2001 for his solo performance in Dylan Thomas "Fern Hill".
Here in this remarkable and brave one-man presentation of Thomas' most famous 'theatre' piece he demonstrates a great command of stage techniques that animate and enhance the work. With great skill he manipulates every part of his body to express the emotions of the characters as he brings them to life.
We see only one man in a pair of, rather bedraggled pyjamas, which presumably he has 'taken from the drawer marked pyjamas', but he paints some real pictures of the characters he displays before us. His gentle, echoing singing of Polly Garter's song is extraordinarily effective, he mimes the ringing out of her damp cloth, as she washes the floor like a conjurer producing a magic bunch of flowers. There are many other physical moments that are equally effective and often very amusing.
Curiously the single voice performance allowed one to concentrate on the writing more clearly than a fully cast presentation and in the 250 seat Weston Studio a much more intimate relationship with the work was established. Dylan Thomas' words draw his characters so clearly and he puts then all into such familiar settings that they all become people we know about, some even our relatives or friends! It is also remarkable, despite the possible accusation of Welsh stereotypes, which I personally don't support, many of us here in Wales are pretty stereotypical anyway, however individual we all may be, how contemporary many of Dylan's human characteristics remain and probably always will.
The actor is supported by inventive and sensitive direction by Tony Boncza and the recent addition of music and sound effects by Matt Clifford and the lighting of the simple black box stage complete a very satisfying and pleasing aesthetic.
There is no doubting Masterson's enthusiasm and passion for the work. He communicates with no little flare and with very real charm. His energy and commitment involved us with the exploits of the characters.
He has been performing the work since 1994. There is an extraordinary and even greater than ever demand on an actor's concentration in reviving a work that has been in his repertoire for such a long time; Masterson succeeds extraordinarily well.
(Michael Kerrigan - Theatre in Wales - January 12, 2005)

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FRINGE FESTIVAL 2003

"The sight and sound of Guy Masterson performing Thomas's masterspiece is electrifying. All 69 voices spill form the lips of an actor whose talents are a fitting 50th anniversay tribute to those of the Welsh wizard himself in this refurbished production. No matter how hard you pore over the programmne, you will not find a finer performance in the whole Edinburgh Festival!"
(Jeremy Hodges - The Daily Mail August 4, 2003)