once upon a time. the romantic face of coal….

This gem of an interview contains a surprisingly beautiful description of harsh times in Wales (UK) described by miner’s son Richard Burton [Dick Cavett Show 1980]

Richard Burton reading (the stuff of dreams)…..from ‘The Tempest’ by Shakespeare

Richard Burton [first voice] reading Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas – Welsh poet, born in Swansea.
Under Milk Wood

Richard Burton was born Richard Walter Jenkins in the village of Pontrhydyfen, Neath Port Talbot, Wales. He grew up in a working class, Welsh-speaking household, the 12th of 13 children. His mother died in childbirth when Richard was two. His father (also named Richard Walter Jenkins) was a short, robust coal miner, a “twelve-pints-a-day man” who sometimes went off on drinking and gambling sprees for weeks. Burton,who was brought up by an older sister claimed that “He looked very much like me … That is, he was pockmarked, devious, and smiled a great deal when he was in trouble. He was, also, a man of extraordinary eloquence, tremendous passion, great violence.”

more: Wikipedia

8 thoughts on “once upon a time. the romantic face of coal….”

  1. Interesting to hear Richard Burton talk about the beauty of coal mining, it’s not something I ever would have guessed about him. I enjoyed it, Gill, espec. the details about striking the coal face. Thank you. 🙂

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  2. This is wonderful. I love to hear Burton’s voice and on such an important subject. I think you know I lived in Wales for 12 years and love the Welsh and the country. Hope you enjoyed this glorious day.x

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  3. I loved this. I come from a mining valley Andy father worked for the coal board but as a pit-head engineer. Burton reading Undermilk Wood is sheer beauty.

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