A new exhibition centred around Dylan Thomas will officially open at Narberth Museum.

Entitled ‘Titbits & Topsyturvies’, after a quote from Under Milk Wood, the exhibition will open on November 9 and will feature art works by Seimon Pugh-Jones based around characters in the play. 2023 marks both the 70th anniversary of Dylan’s death and the first reading of Under Milk Wood.

Also included will be film memorabilia from the 1971 film version of the play for voices, including a film poster signed by the director Andrew Sinclair, and a painting by Nicholas Jones (Nicky Wire from the Manic Street Preachers), based on Dylan. These items come from a private collection and are being loaned to the museum for the exhibition.

Seimon fell in love with Under Milk Wood after spending many years in Laugharne. Around seven years ago he began painting characters from the play and currently has 26 paintings. He realised that he had a favourite group of characters that struck an emotional chord with him, namely the drowned.

Seimon’s great grandfather had been a ship’s captain, sailing around Cape Horn nine times. He had friends to pose for him, all of whom either loved the play or had a connection to it in some way. One character is based on Peter Baily, who built the ships for the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and there is reference to the Black Pearl in the earring he is wearing. Around 10 pictures will be shown in the exhibition.

There will also be a series of events during the show including readings, a podcast, talks and a performance piece. Details will be on Narberth Museum website, social media pages and in the local presses.

The exhibition was conceived, and will be curated by Mark Lewis.

Mark was curator at Tenby Museum for many years and is now operating in the heritage, art and museum sector as a freelancer. He is working voluntarily with Narberth Museum. He has had a lifelong love for Dylan– his grandparents lived in Laugharne overlooking the boathouse – and he has read and written about Dylan for many years.

The performance piece that will be shown as part of the exhibition, For As Long As Forever Is, was written by Mark. It has been performed several times, to great acclaim, most recently as part of the Tenby Community Festival.

The exhibition opens to the public on November 10 and runs until March 31 2024.