The acting regrets of Wales' first voice

May 9 2008 by Karen Price, Western Mail

Welsh acting legend, Philip Madoc, is starring in a new production of one Wales’ greatest plays, Under Milk Wood. But as he prepares to play First Voice again, he admits to Karen Price that he’s uncertain about his future on the stage

PHILIP Madoc doesn’t appear to be a man who would have many regrets. He is, of course, one of our greatest actors, who has that amazingly rich Welsh voice – a little reminiscent of Richard Burton’s – that you could listen to for hours.

Madoc has starred in everything from Doctor Who and A Mind To Kill to Porridge and the recent Welsh language series Y Pris.

He is also renowned for playing the title role in the drama The Life and Times of David Lloyd George.

But he admits that there is something that he feels he missed out on – the chance to star in a movie by the award-winning American director, writer and producer Mel Brooks, whose hits include The Producers and Blazing Saddles.

“The one thing I’m sorry about is that I was never asked by Mel Brooks to be in a film – they contained some lovely moments,” says Madoc.

And as he prepares to celebrate his 74th birthday in July, he admits that he is feeling uncertain about what the future holds as far as his career is concerned.

“I don’t know (what will happen) – I’m not in total control of it,” says the Merthyr Tydfil-born actor.

“If something comes up that’s great, but you know that gradually the parts are not really there.

“I did Lear last year at the Globe Theatre. It was the 400th anniversary of the first performance at the Globe so that was exciting. But who knows what will happen? You don’t sit down waiting for the phone to go. You just think something may happen and you may want to do it – there’s a strong possibility now that you may not want to do it.”

But one thing Madoc is keen to do is star in a new production of Under Milk Wood at London’s Tricycle Theatre.

He has been busy rehearsing the part of First Voice – immortalised by the aforementioned Burton – with the London Theatre Company for the last two weeks under the direction of his old friend Malcolm Taylor.

The pair previously worked on a production of Under Milk Wood together in 1965 which also featured Windsor Davies and David Jason.

The Only Fools And Horses actor will also appear in the new version – although audiences won’t see him on stage as he’s recorded his role as the Voice of the Guidebook.

Madoc is clearly enjoying working with the young cast, but he admits that he’s been struggling to remember what it was like appearing in Thomas’ famous “play for voices” more than 40 years ago.

Asked of his memories of working with fellow Welshman Davies and Del Boy star Jason, he says: “I can’t remember – it’s a long time ago.

“But I do know they were great company to be with. I’ve rarely seen David, and Windsor now lives in France. It’s good to work with Malcolm again and the new company and although I’m really starting again (with Under Milk Wood) there’s a familiarity about it.”

Madoc recognises that he will be bringing something different to the part this time round.

“You approach things in a different way because you are that much older. I have done Macbeth four times but each one was essentially different simply because you have changed over the years.”

Madoc, a grandfather-of-two, is a huge fan of the Swansea writer. “Anything that Dylan wrote has got a touch of magic about it. He was a genius. Whatever he wrote – Milk Wood, poetry, short stories – he brought astonishing sensitivity to them.

“The first time I really took to him was when he wrote the short story, August Bank Holiday – people don’t usually notice things like the situations he mentions in that story.

“He was an extraordinary man.

“Although he was highly dramatic, he was also very funny too, of course.”

So which comedies does he rate today?

“I think if you were to ask what’s my favourite programme I would say the Golden Girls. It’s superbly written and well acted.

“Porridge was probably my favourite (to work on) as it was lovely to be in that with Ronnie Barker, the best actor of comedy. You were surrounded by an excellent cast, which makes one hell of a difference.”

But, of course, one current comedy he has heard all about is Gavin and Stacey..

“I’m delighted that something that puts Barry on the map is doing so well – it helps Wales as a whole.”

Although he lives in Hertfordshire with wife Diane, he visits Wales often to see his sister.

“I’ve lots of connections there (in Wales) – I’m involved with a film festival in Swansea and I’m vice president of Morriston Orpheus Choir. I’m involved with certain charities so trying to be more hands-on. Most of them are international and I’m dealing with languages – that was my skill before I was an actor,” says Madoc, who was an interpreter.

“If I give a speech it’s hardly ever about acting – it’s usually about my experiences in the international world.”

Madoc, who has two children, Rhys and Lowri, with his former wife, Hi-De-Hi! actress Ruth Madoc, says his real interests are motorcycling and trekking.

“I couldn’t understand why people walked but then I did the Pembrokeshire Path, which is a fortnight-long walk,” he says.

“I could see why people were attracted to it so I went to the Himalayas. Until my legs give out I shall carry on trekking. I also want to go motorcycling in South India.”

No matter what he says, at the end of the day it seems that Madoc could give men half his age a run for their money.

A play for voices

UNDER Milk Wood was first recorded by BBC radio with a distinguished all-Welsh cast and produced by Douglas Cleverdon.

It featured Hugh Griffith and Rachel Roberts and – most famously – Richard Burton as First Voice.

First broadcast in January 1954 – two months after Dylan Thomas’s death – on the BBC’s Third Programme, it was repeated two days later.

It was later made into a film in 1972. Burton reprised his iconic role, and other parts were played by Elizabeth Taylor, Peter O’Toole, Glynis Johns and Vivien Merchant.

In 1988, Beatles producer George Martin released an album version, featuring more of the dialogue being sung, with music by Elton John, among others.

In this version, another famous Welshman with a distinctive voice – Sir Anthony Hopkins – took Burton’s role.

In November 2003, to mark the 50th anniversary of Thomas’s death, the BBC broadcast a new production of the play combining new actors with the original 1954 recording featuring Burton’s iconic reading.

Closer to home, Welsh director Michael Bogdanov adapted the play in 2003.

He launched the production in Thomas’s home city of Swansea as part of the events commemorating the 50th anniversary of his death.

Following in the footsteps of screen legend Richard Burton, Matthew Rhys played the part of First Voice.

Under Milk Wood will be at London’s Tricycle Theatre, May 13 to 24. The box office number is 020 7328 1000.