Could you be a Dylan double?
THERE may have been only one Dylan Thomas — but the guardians of the famous Welsh poet's birthplace are on the hunt for his doppelgangers.
Anne and Geoff Haden, who hold the keys to 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, the house the poet was born in, are organising a festival celebrating what would have been Dylan's 95th birthday.
As well as putting on a new play about Dylan, the couple want to find people who resemble the city's most famous son for a lookalike competition as part of the festivities.
Anne said: "Dylan's short stories are typically Welsh and full of humour, while his poems are deep.
"The aim is to bring him back to street level through fun, friendliness and accessibility.
"This is the least we can do for him."
A series of events at the bash, dubbed Dylan Down the Ups, will be taking place in his "home village" of Uplands on October 27.
Geoff said: "We are in advanced discussions to hold the Welsh premiere of a new play about Dylan by writer Robert Forrest, written especially for leading Scottish actor Finlay Welsh.
"There will be a Dylan lookalike competition, short story and art competitions, and shops will be encouraged to compete in the best-dressed window award.
"We want to involve all the community and, because it will be during the October half-term holiday, it should attract a lot of interest from outside of Wales."
Down the Ups comes a year after the wraps were taken off Dylan's birthplace, following an extensive refurbishment.
More than 100 people attended an Edwardian afternoon tea for what would have been his 94th birthday.
Anne and Geoff's plans for this year's bash, as well their hope to make it a week-long event for Dylan's centenary in 2014, have been met with approval by local traders.
Nigel Clatworthy, from Uplands restaurant The Chattery, is one of those in favour.
He said: "Anne has booked our venue for the poet Peter Thabit Jones and musician Terry Clarke for an evening of Dylan's work. It's something we are really looking forward to."
http://www.5cwmdonkindrive.com/
Dylan Thomas - all you need to know about Swansea's great poet
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by Roger, Sketty
Sunday, July 26 2009, 9:41PM
“As stated Mr D Thomas hated Swansea and its provinciality so why did he just not leave?
And I've noticed a trend of Steve & Eddie of bedsit land (Uplands) having a self inflated opinion of their own worth.”
by Sally, Swansea
Sunday, July 26 2009, 9:35PM
“To Mr Steve Jones
You make comment about council estates?
You state that you live in Uplands, I don't think you can critise any one for the area that they live!!!!!!
I personally don't live on an estate so I'm not being defensive. But Uplands you are having a laugh, at least on a council estate you get a whole house and not just a bedsit. Try getting out a bit open your front door have a look around the streets where you live not something to brag about, is it!!!!”
by David, Swansea
Sunday, July 26 2009, 9:24PM
“To all those who say DT was "talentless" this is true he had a talent "getting drunk". My father remembers the man well, DT not liking Swansea more like Swansea not liking him!!! He described him as a sad vile little man who people avoided like the plague, how can Swansea promote such a person and lets be honest his ramblings are nothing more than that of a drunk. I,ve heard better more inventive writing from the children in my english class. And to Eddie Uplands you are little more than a pompous oaf, understand his work this shows how much you actually know about writing its common statements like this that makes me laugh as if you know better than the rest people like you make me laugh with your falseness.
Creativity is to be enjoyed not understood.
and lets be honest Lennon!! as well documented the Beatles could not play thier instuments very well and niether did they write thier own lyrics or music (the styles of composition were not consistant enough, they were little more than the monkey and not the organ grinder. But back to the subject matter DT is not a good role model to be used by Swansea a drunk, an abuser of women and a man of no real particular talent, whats to celebrate?”
by One of his fans, SWANSEA
Sunday, July 26 2009, 5:03PM
“ABSOLUTE PHILISTINES THE LOT OF YOU,PATHETIC,VISIT THE LIBRARY CHECK OUT DT AND BRUSH UP ON YOUR READING FOLKS
I recently went to a local venue and saw an absolute cracking performance of Undermilk wood.DT is very much alive and punching his weight in literary circles throughout the country and the world”
by Heather, Mwmbwls
Saturday, July 25 2009, 6:13PM
“@ Andrew, SWansea; nope I'm not leaving where else would I get my entertainment, the Swansea jacks (no disrespect to the gorgeous Swansea Jack dog though) are quite funny and they do offer cheap entertainment. So I'm staying "put" ta very much darling.”