THE iconic Boathouse in Laugharne will be the scene for the filming of a new drama about famous Welsh bard Dylan Thomas.
Rev star Tom Hollander is to star in the new production, A Poet in New York, written by Mr Selfridge creator Andrew Davies.
Created to mark the centenary of the birth of the Under the Milkwood poet, the BBC drama charts the final weeks of Dylan, who died at the tragically young age of 39 in 1953 while on a lecture tour in New York.
Hollander is an English actor who has also appeared in the films Enigma, Gosford Park, Cambridge Spies, Pride & Prejudice, Pirates of the Caribbean, In the Loop, Valkyrie and Hanna.
He has been quoted as saying: “Thomas was a great poet whose blazing life and premature death left both a considerable poetic legacy and an endearing reputation for bad behaviour.”
Scenes for the drama are being filmed at the Boathouse this week. It is the building most closely associated with Dylan where he enjoyed a creative renaissance.
He worked in the Writing Shed above the Boathouse with its remarkable and inspiring views of four estuaries.
Poems written here include “Do Not Go Gentle”, “Poem on His Birthday”, “Over Sir John’s Hill” as well as his most famous play for voices, “Under Milkwood”.
It was from the Boathouse that Dylan made the fateful journey to New York where he died; an early death that turned a talent into a legend.
The Boathouse, which is owned and managed by Carmarthenshire County Council, will be closed for filming on Wednesday and Thursday this week, there will also be no access to the garden or patio.
Executive board member for arts and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “We apologise for any inconvenience during the temporary closure. However, it is good to see the Boathouse and Laugharne being featured in this documentary which will be part of the DT100 centenary celebrations.
“I’m sure it will encourage even more people to visit this iconic building, the town of Laugharne and Carmarthenshire.”
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