"In the world there are various categories of scientists: there are people of a secondary or tertiary standing; there are also those of high standing who make discoveries of great importance to science; then there are geniuses like Galileo and Newton. Well, Ettore was one of them." Enrico Fermi
In the 1960's writer and broadcaster Gwyn Thomas made a series of programmes for TWW in which he visited different parts of Wales. In this programme, Gwyn joins a group a day trippers on a Steamer from Cardiff to Tenby. Today, his unique, warm and darkly humorous observations give us a fascinating insight into what life was like for people living in these Welsh communities half a century ago.
Although the original audio of this particular broadcast has not survived, the script that Gwyn Thomas wrote for the programme has. His timeless words are read here by the superb actor Glyn Houston.
Please note that the copyright of this video belongs to ITV Cymru Wales / National Library of Wales. They have very kindly given permission for it to be showed here. Please show them your appreciation and visit their YouTube channel to see more fantastic archive recordings from Wales: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT2N...
Gwyn Thomas' play "The Keep" has been described as "probably the greatest play to come out of Wales since Under Milk Wood" and was rightly hailed as a triumphant success when it premiered in London's Royal Court Theatre in 1961.
In the 1980's, the Welsh actor Glyn Houston performed a hilarious one
man show about the writer and broadcaster Gwyn Thomas. Using Gwyn's own
words, Glyn Houston delivers a masterful performance that is still
remembered with great affection by those fortunate enough to see it.
This is a true Welsh masterpeice of comedy theatre, and a treat not to
be missed.
In 1975 Gwyn Thomas appeared on the Kane at Christmas programme. As
these few brief excerpts show, it was a hilarious performance that is
still fondly remembered by many to this day. Listen again to the great
talker as he explains the dangers of Rugby, the funeral of Cliff Davies,
the legend of the buried city of Kenfig, stolen false teeth,the problem
with singing and the perils of adultery.
* [For first time visitors]:
Typo in the title?
Nah.
It's just that I would not let a tiny T spoil an avantgardistic alliteration.
The great Wesh writer, talker and broadcaster Gwyn Thomas appeared on
the Michael Parkinson show in the early 1970's. In the first part of
the intervew he explains why he has his own signal at Paddington
station, how he broke his toe defending pacifism, and the impact of the
Welsh religious revival on the productivity of pit ponies underground.
In Part Two of the interview, Michael Parkinson asks Gwyn Thomas about
the time he spent at Oxford University, growing up in the Rhondda and
his experiences of working on the Brains Trust. Gwyn explains how Welsh
people have a theatrical nature, why he is always being mistaken for
someone else and the unfortunate consequences of learning to smoke at a
very early age
In the third part of his interview on the Parkinson show, Gwyn Thomas
explains Dr Bronowski's greatest challenge, why he eventually gave up
teaching and his unfortunate early experience of being miscast as an
actor. Later, with actress Sarah Miles they discuss fox hunting, the
secret of a happy marriage and the madness of Hollywood.
