Under Milk Wood is a play for voices by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. It was first performed in 1954 and published posthumously in 1954. The play is set in the fictional Welsh fishing village of Llareggub (“bugger all” spelled backwards) and follows the lives of its inhabitants over the course of a single day. The play is narrated by a character called the “Voice of the Poet”, who introduces the characters and their stories. The characters include the blind Captain Cat, the gossipy Mrs. Ogmore-Pritchard, the schoolmaster Mr. Pugh, the spinster Miss Price, the postman Mr. Waldo, the milkman Mr. Pugh, and the local pub landlord Mr. Willy Nilly. The play also features a variety of other characters, including the town’s children, the local preacher, and the town’s animals. The play is a celebration of life, death, and the human condition. It is a lyrical and poetic exploration of the dreams, hopes, and fears of the people of Llareggub. The play is also a meditation on the power of language and the beauty of the Welsh language and culture.
By Dylan Thomas · First published 1954 · Genre: Drama, Poetry, Fiction