Christchurch poet celebrating Dylan Thomas
- Lleisiau/Voices International Festival 8 - 10 May
Welsh born Steve Thomas has been invited to give three live performances in a project celebrating the 100th anniversary
of the birth of Dylan Thomas.
Lleisiau/Voices is a commissioned project as part of Dylan Thomas 100, a year-long programme of cultural and academic
activity inspired by the life and work of Dylan Thomas, recognised internationally as one of the greatest poets of the
20th century.
The programme, originating from Cardiff, involves performers throughout Wales and from New York and New Zealand.
Lleisiau/Voices will feature live and recorded presentations in a variety of vocal styles, formats and techniques, to
be streamed in high definition via the internet on 8, 9 and 10 May.
“In Dylan Thomas’s day the broadcast media was in its infancy, and it could be argued that at that time, one powerful
voice from Wales was sufficient to represent the Nation to the World,” the organisers say.
“Today we live in a very different world, with multi-channel television and radio, YouTube, Soundcloud and Facebook,
where artists of all kinds are able to place their work directly in front of potential audiences. However, even with
this wealth of opportunities it is often the familiar that frequently commands attention; the tried and tested voice.”
Steve Thomas
Steve Thomas was born in Cardiff, and performed with the Welsh Arts Council’s Dial a Poem service in 1974.That same year
he moved to Christchurch as a travelling poet, influenced and inspired by Dylan Thomas, and performed as a poet, actor
and musician.
As Bard of Christchurch during the 1990s he wrote and delivered a poem concerned with contemporary events each week on
National Radio’s ‘In Touch with New Zealand’ programme, enjoying a large listening following. He is currently general
manager of the Arts On Tour NZ Trust, organising tours of outstanding New Zealand performers to rural and smaller
centres in New Zealand.
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