Michael Sheen performs 'Do not go gentle into that good night' by Dylan Thomas
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 พ.ค. 2021
- Michael Sheen performing 'Do not go gentle into that good night' for Dylan Thomas Day is everything you'd hope it to be. Subscribe for more content related to our new production of Under Milk Wood: th-cam.com/users/nationaltheatre?...
Dylan Thomas' masterful Under Milk Wood 'play for voices' was first read in New York on 14 May 1953. The play reopens the Olivier theatre for live performances 16 June-24 July 2021.
Michael Sheen, Karl Johnson and Siân Phillips feature in the acting company breathing new life into Dylan Thomas’ poetic masterpiece. Lyndsey Turner directs with additional material by Siân Owen.
A limited number of £10 Friday Rush tickets will be available the Friday before every week of performances: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/fr...
#NationalTheatre #UnderMilkWood #Poetry #MichaelSheen #DylanThomas
--
A community is sleeping. If you listen closely, you can hear their dreams.
The retired sea captain yearning for his lost love.
The landlady living in terror of her guests.
A father who can no longer access his memories.
A son in search of redemption.
As they awake to boiled eggs and the postman, the residents of a small Welsh village juggle old secrets and new realities.
--
At the National Theatre in London, we make world-class theatre that is entertaining, challenging and inspiring. And we make it for everyone.
Sign up to the National Theatre’s monthly newsletter:
National Theatre TikTok: / nationaltheatre
National Theatre Twitter: / nationaltheatre
National Theatre Facebook: / nationaltheatre
National Theatre Instagram: / nationaltheatre - บันเทิง
I'm pushing 95, and this is the finest version I've ever heard. It left me more determined than ever to rage against the dying of MY light. Inspiring words and superb delivery.
i liked this better than the Dylan Thomas ones
You are indeed inspiring, Sir.
They say the "first man to live to be 150 years old has already been born" Don't let me down Mr. Fisher.
@@kylewashington1841 Ha Ha - I think to would be nice to reach 100, but only if I'm free from advanced senility. Living beyond that means most of my family will be dead and certainly all my friends. Nice thought though.
@@Renovator26 You are right sir. Good health to ya.
We need more of Michael reading poetry
More of Michael reading anything!!
Totally agree
Yess
and Irish reading their poetry and stories that run with the Irish wind
he could read his bluidy laundry-lists and I'd stand through the rainy night to hear them!
I saw Michael recite this when he was fresh out of drama school, it was full of confidence and youthful passion, this one however seems to have all Michael's life experience so far and it's fantastic, so moving. He gets it completely.
One of those life experiences is helping young homeless people in Wales not to have to live in highly dubious hostels full of sex offenders and the like. Good on him for the great work he did there.
Your comment reminded me of one of my best teachers, Miss O’Meara. She taught literature, and we read and discussed many wonderful novels. She said ‘read a story that touched you again once per decade of your life, as your life experience will alter your perception and enrich your understanding.’
I dont really get it at all.
@@leesweets4110 In essence it’s about living your best life in spite of your inevitable death. To live, laugh and love, and fight for a life worth losing. At least, that’s what it means to me. Different interpretations for different people.
@@Catmoore60 How fortunate you are ! I earn my living as an English teacher. .I shudder to think of what I am made to do. But I am so delighted to learn that there are places in the world where there are real students and teachers. Thank you, madam, for sharing your experience. It reassures me that not everything is lost.
My 12 y/o son called me an "old man" a while back and in comedic response I did this poem. He stood in rapt attention until I finished then said without missing a beat "Cool. I bet you were there when that was written like 200 years ago." Sigh.
your son is really incredible 😂😂 i can't stop laughin'
I think your son might make a good talk show host one day. 😎
lol, that sounds like a kid that needs to hear the classics. Has he heard Kiping's What If
🤣🤣🤣 I love your son
My daughter used to accuse me of listening to “old people’s music”, and then she grew up.
Im 56, sitting in hospital recovering post tumour removal. I was already raging; hearing Michael so wonderfully express my feelings has made my day.
Get well soon - best regards from austria ! ps: you´ve got good taste
At last! Someone who actually understands the pace of this poem. This is exactly how I felt watching my father die .The anger and the bargaining. Diolch
The timing of his pauses was absolutely perfect. There is a beauty in silence.
Thank you, Michael. At 95 I need a fix every so often. I accept it's almost time for me to exit stage left, but oh - what a trip! I will not gentle into that good night - but go I must.
John, Ontario, Canada
See you on the other side✊️
Beautifully said
This performance has brought immense comfort to me, as I grapple with the anticipation of my dying Dad. I’ll listened to it dozens of times so far.
This is the definitive version of this poem. Delivered in the Welsh accent that it was written in, by a man who seems to not just understand the words, but to feel them. Surely there is nobody who could do this better.
I was thinking of his beautiful accent. Welsh is the most appealing accent for me of all the Celtic accents.
Richard Burton and Anthony Hopkins, both Welsh, do it better. It's all subjective though.
you could barely tell that Dylan was Welsh.......voice of an Oxford don........outstanding, irreplaceable, beyond compare...
@@nigelludkin-yoxall6845 This reading is way better than Dylan's. You need the Welsh accent, at least that's how I always imagined it in my head. It's sad Dylan had that fake, bland, Oxford accent.
it wasn't fake, he was brought up to speak like that@@argonthesad
My father died in 1984 at 59 years of age. I was 25 then. I never knew how to express my frustration and anger about his illness, suffering and death. He fought bravely but in the end his agony was overwhelming and he surrendered. I wish my father were still alive today for me to tell him: Do not go gentle into that last night, one more time... Thanks Michael for making me cry 40 years of sorrow out of my chest.
My Father died I didn't get a chance to say thank you to him But yes having had a heart attack myself and survived It's only because I raged against the good night And lived long enough to be here to meet and greet 3 Great Grandsons
As someone with a parent under palliative care this is very moving.
Big hugs we are going through the same at the moment.
@@basesketch p
My elderly father is 82 with many health issues including kidney failure is in hospital tonight with fluid on his lungs and three chest drains .As no one is allowed to see him me and my sister rang him at tea he said he wants to die .This has brought tears to my eyes.
@@nickthomas181 sending my love.
It is indeed. I hope that they are taking good care of them - and that you hsve someone to care for you.
Sending all my love.
Perfection. Takes a Welshman to know a Welshman.
By that logic then only a English person can know William Shakespeare
@@stevenaustin8274 If you want to make that leap, then perhaps. Culture is embodied in language.
@@sharonelliott2366 what leap ? If indeed your comment is correct then it must be correct for all !
@@stevenaustin8274 ??
@@stevenaustin8274 What they mean is that a Welsh usage of the English language can only be properly portrayed by a Welsh approach, and thus by a Welsh person.
I’m sure you’d agree it would in truth take a middle-English-Era person to properly convey Shakespeare as intended, but we do not have that available.
I imagine him doing this, but not on stage. This would be an improv, with him playing a part of some wild homeless man, raging at a winter thunderstorm while people look away. This poem shouldn't be read by professors in tweed jackets to bored students. This is a roar for the people who have only the 'good night' left.
Your comment was very thoughtfully and expressively put. You're quite right: His reading of this poem brought me (and most likely others) in touch with the life that is the poet himself, in a flood of intent, coursing like blood out of that heart, feeding our very soul way past the hour of our death
As the dying of one light gives way to another
spoken like someone who hs never had any homeless friends lol
Whether you have a family or none, homeless or not - doesn't make a difference. This is about death and fear of dying.
This was written very beautifully!
I think it should be read by every dry and boring professor. Because that dry and boring prof is a superstar for introducing beautiful prose and poetry to students who don't care to know about it.
These dry profs now have tools like this to capture imagination in a way that they can't.
Not everyone can be Michael.
I look forward, later in his life, to see him playing King Lear
Give him a decade or so. He just got that grey hair.
The pause, slight eye twitch, and change of energy at 1:04 talking about his fathers is the best acting I’ve seen in 2021. Perfection
I will read this at my grandfather's funeral in a couple of weeks. He was a proud and fiercely intelligent Welsh man that achieved so much and always pushed the limits of whatever he did.
I will be doing the same in 2 days. A wonderful tribute to powerful men.
That slight Welsh twang when he says 'dying'. Amazing!
Definitely adds to it in several other places too
Nothing slight about any of that performance in my opinion. I'm saying this as a Welshman almost 30 years in exile, his performance makes me feel very homesick!
@@anonymousanonymous2143 I could not agree more. Whenever I hear Michael speak he reminds me of all that is great about Wales.
I felt it too …. !
The Welsh accent helps make this the best version of the poem. Well done Michael
Most just read as though it's just a poem they're reading to impress a class. Read it like you're speaking to your child, your father, your partner, imploring them. So well done.
My uncle was 95years old and passed away in his sleep a month ago. We had a life long connection of mischief and magic. This was read at his celebration of life and this video appeared as if by magic into my feed, Thank you
There were times when I thought that Anthony Hopkins was the one and only person, mastered that poem. Then "Interstellar" came into the culture, and I was convinced that it's the perfect mise-en-scene for this poem, cited by Michael Caine - being the same in words, but sounding completely different. And now.... No sets and costumes, no fancy make-up, just one man, standing in the light, but obviously knows all about the darkness.... Bravo, Michael!
I can't help thinking this is not about age (of a person).
And this performance impacts me most from all I ve seen so far. Maybe the small head shake and his expression at the end contributed to that.
Not a matter of age at all, I agree. It is really a question of "getting it" deeply and truly.
So wonderful to hear the Welsh in his voice, a fine, desperate rendering.
That's called an artist my friends! Michael Sheen is incredible.
Yes he is!
I'm 51 and have loved this forever. But you my friend took me right there.❤️
This is THE BEST reading of this poem I’ve heard! He was actually raging instead of just saying the word rage 👏🏻
Powerful and slightly terrifying. Thank you so much- I needed this today.
You're welcome, thanks for watching and enjoying great poetry
This moved me so deeply... I’m neither into poems nor soliloquies. But this was very very touching and brilliantly performed. Thank you Michael Sheen!
I've had a mad crush on this man for YEARS.
His bar is Kate Beckinsale. Just saying.
I'm convinced that only people with a Welsh accent should perform this.
One of my favourite poems. This is such a good performance of it
Fantastic! 71 and did Eng Lit at college.....finest presentation I have heard!
indeed
I've read & listened to this many times, but today I really 'heard' it. Thank you Michael
Agreed.
He had me in tears by the end. I need more of Michael Sheen performing Dylan Thomas. More Welshmen. More Welsh awesomeness.
My parents are old now... my dad is in his eighties, my mom in her seventies, they are not as strong and healthy as they used to be, I perform this poem for them every once in awhile to keep their blood boiling and their eyes shining, they will not go gentle into that good night.
As a deaf person, what a treat to have access to such a powerful and compelling actor. Thank you 😊
I never really got this until my sister died a couple of months ago. It has so much power and meaning for me now. This is a beautiful performance. Thank you.
Sheen got distracted at the end by the damn birds. He sees them! He knows what they're on about!
In seriousness, this was a masterful reading, he is brilliant and has hit the level where I can in good confidence watch anything with him in it and expect it to be excellent.
Wonderful…. I could listen to Michael Sheen forever, such a voice, such feeling …
I love how every actor that does this poem makes it their own. Michael Caine’s rendition in Interstellar was magical and the emotion Sheen brings to this is wonderful!
I so much agree, Sam. It is a poem everyone, being Human, can relate to. Especially when recited by an actor with such extreme breadth and depth as Michael Sheen has
It was Anthony Hopkins's voice, not Michael Caine's, reciting the poem in Interstellar.
@@SlideQuest No it was definitely Michael Caine. You can identify his cockney accent straight away.
@@samosullivan1744 You are right, I was wrong. Found a clip someone had made with Hopkins reciting the poem to footage from Insterstellar. Another good reading, but not from the original film.
Would have loved to hear Alan Rickman
If I had to choose just one word from Michael's rendition it would be "father" - it pierces the soul.
Yep.
His hair alone is quite the presence.
Love that passion! 👏👏bravo👏👏
Absolutely perfect. The lovely Welsh accent was just the cherry on top.
My 95yr old Father lives with me.
He’s doing pretty well considering but he does struggle.
Sometimes I watch him and think “Do you really want to keep doing this”
That has changed my perspective on why he pushes to keep going and new found respect 🙏
still one of the greatest men and most talented of actors this island has produced.
Anything he plays, I’d happily watch. He is pure gold. Like another Helen McCrory.
How can you not crying in front of this masterpiece and an interpretation so intense?!
A very musical recitation; I love the gradual crescendo of emotion Sheen builds in from the first verse to the last.
The way he keeps the tension of the poem flowing. What a performance... just flawless.... BRAVO
This has been one of my favorites since I first read it as a teenager. Here I sit several decades later, both my parents are gone now after long illnesses and I feel a keen sense of loss now that I couldn't possibly have understood when i was that kid.
I'm 74 and lucky to be here, I died on the operating table last February and know exactly how this feels.
❤
This man is astonishing. I'm only just discovering how extraordinary, kind and passionate he is. Awesome
I love this actor. His depth of characters, drama and humor are exceptional. Can't get enough!
I sit here at the hospital watching my father, who is 99, slowly slip into his final goodnight.. It's a terrifying and impressive show of absolute willpower.. This Video and Performance has brought some solace to my aching soul
I have watched this like 20 times. Amazing performance of one of my all times favorite poems.
I gave this poem to my terminally ill grandfather who was my father in everything except name. I can relate so much to the words. I wanted him to fight to his last breath. He was at peace with his decision to accept his mortality, I was not. Miss you everyday grandpa
Every time I reach an awful place in my mind I end up eventually, somehow bouncing back and finding myself coming here once more. Michael pours passion into this, never fails to get a tear in my eye and fire in my heart. I've yet to hear a better reading of this.
Michael Sheen do us all a favor sir 🙏🏼 record more audiobooks. Listening to you is pure pleasure. Any project, any book, pick one and I’m onboard. The Philip Pullman was amazing. 🤗
Michael Sheen is a singularly gifted performer. I will watch absolutely anything he does, and the way he delivered this magnificent poem is beyond compare. Goosebumps.
Michael, Bravo, Bravo! Oh man, I wish Michael would put out a CD of poems. His voice and amazing rendition of this poem brings so much character to each word he pronounces with powerful linguistic manner.
He brought tears and I've read that poem/villanelle a thousand times!
What a voice, what an actor.
Through Michael Sheen's voice you understand the whole meaning of this poem even you don't listening words! I love this version. You can hear an hour explenation about the meaning of this poem, or you can hear two minutes of Michael Sheen and you get meaning of every single word. I call this a real acting and I bow deeply to your acting skills ;)
This video is a refreshing change from the pop-culture mentality which I usually see on TH-cam.
Thank you.
Brought me to tears. Michael Sheen is amazing 👏
What a breath-taking performance. He infuses the words with the perfect intonation, pitch and pacing, outdoing every other version of this poem I've heard. Need more poetry from him!
It touched my soul so deep
It burst into tears
Thank you Michael Sheen for this marvellous recitation 🙏
I always read this poem to myself in a breath of solace. Rage always seemed the aspirational end to an arduous day. But this is utter transcendence!
Dylan would have said “Thank you my brother, my countryman. You have placed my words in their souls.”
My husband passed away this November 17. Michael’s recital of this powerful poem means even more to me now.
I am chronically ill, disabled and in the mids of small life crisis, because 60 this year and not sure how much of my dreams I still will be able to live... This poem, this brilliant performances was just what I needed... I, too, will fight, against the dying of the light
Powerful. Sheesh Michael, standing ovation and tears. Bravo.
I remember my father every time i watch this, a powerful performance, always brings tears to my eyes. Thank you Michael.
Michael Sheen is my favorite. Talented, beautiful, brilliant ❤
This is the way I always heard it in my mind.
What a lovely compliment :)
A wonderfully moving performance. I wish my teacher could have imbued it with such passion when I studied it for my O levels in 1969! Perfformiad rhagorol.
This is as much for Thomas's father as it is for our common, ancestral father. Let us not forget it; that we are brothers, that we are family, that we were once wild men.
How could I set "Like" twice? Applauding
It's too late now. I knew these words, but didn't know to say them in time. I'm sorry dad, I miss you.
Cannot wait to go to the National again, and see/hear Under Milk Wood. Then life really will have started to return to how it was.
We can't wait to reopen for live theatre! What a day that will be.
Best reading I've ever heard of this marvellous poem!
I listened and could not but rage myself at the cruelty of sudden departure; no goodbyes, no scanning of the horizon. Just gone one morning, leaving all behind to mourn.
This is a mans work and recited in a way that Dylan Thomas would have wished, Michael you have a way with Dylan's words.
Such a fine character actor. I always loved this poem!
Diolch yn fawr Michael mawr . Superb !
the best rendition - EVER
Fantastic, truly awe-inspiring. Sheen is a keeper isn't he!
Brought me to tears.
Projection; Perfect!
Accents, We Love Them.
And Voice??
Ahhh, What A Beautiful Accompaniment.
Life should not be a journey to the grave..
with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside!!
In a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and LOUDLY proclaiming..
"WOW!.. What a Ride!"
Hunter S. Thompson ~
The Proud Highway: Saga of a Desperate Southern Gentleman, 1955-1967
I could watch and listen to M.S all day long..he really draws you in that moment..shivers down my spine.❤🏴
I always loved reading this poem, but it's simply perfect this way. Thank you, Michael Sheen!
What a wonderfully talented actor; never disappoints. Thank you for this.
Beautiful! Best rendition I have heard of this poem. Michael is such an incredible actor! Watch him performing "Under Milk Wood" as well. ❤
Check out the musical
adaption by
Louis Tillett . ♡
I am pretty sure I will go gentle into that good night, but I love this poem and I love Michael Sheen, so... I'm so happy I discovered this video.
I’ve never heard this performed any better. Outstanding!
Da iawn ti, Michael. Such a powerful rendition.
That's the right way of listening poetry. No music just words. This video is perfect.
This is the best thing I’ve found today, absolutely incredible performance.
This performance is for me the most touching, I have heard. Wonderful, goosebumps...
You can still hear an actual recording of Dylan Thomas reading this/his poem .
I was put off by the uninspired indifference in Dylan Thomas's reading of his own masterpiece, and did a Google search for a better, more immersed interpretation of it. That is how I came across Michael Sheen's take. It is exactly as I have always felt it should be delivered. Far be it from me to deride the author's reading of his own work, but even Rodney Dangerfield recited it with more affected passion than Dylan Thomas did.
I went from Dylan Thomas to Michael Sheen renditions of this poem. The magnificent flow of these words from Dylan became thoughts, individual phrases and utmost pure emotion from Michael.
My father died in Palliative care in February 2023, and to see him reduced to a stick, unable to communicate, staring blankly at the wall made me rage against the dark for him, even as the dark tore my world apart.
Not as good as this.
This gives me goosebumps. Thanks for posting it.