A famous piece of Welsh culture comes to Malvern under the watchful eye of a renowned director in June.

Michael Bogdanov is directing a new version of Under Milk Wood, by Dylan Thomas, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Welsh poet's death.

Mr Bogdanov has directed the production, known as "the play for voices", seven times before and has just returned to Britain after directing a German version in Hamburg.

"It is a theme piece that travels very well. Although it's set in a Welsh fishing village the characters are universal," he said.

Under Milk Wood will be performed by the Wales Theatre Company, founded by Mr Bogdanov in October as a way to bring large scale theatre to south Wales.

Thomas originally wrote the piece for radio, it was first broadcast 50 years ago but has since been performed on stage in theatres all over the world.

"The text lends itself to that because of the wonderful characters," said Mr Bogdanov. "I think he's the greatest lyric poet of the 20th Century.

"If you read his poetry and didn't know he was a drunkard and a spendthrift you wouldn't guess it from the meticulous way he constructs his pieces. He has an absolute adherence to rhythm and language."

Mr Bogdanov said the production at Malvern Theatres would not feature physical props but a lot of mime, sound and lights.

He has a strong connection with Wales as he is Welsh by birth, has had a house there since 1965 and currently lives in Cardiff.

In a varied career, Mr Bogdanov has produced and directed in many different countries, was associate director of the Royal National Theatre and co-founded the English Shakespeare Company, as a way to take the great playwright's work to people who have never seen it before.

Under Milk Wood plays in the Festival Theatre, Malvern from Tuesday, June 1 to Saturday, June 5. Tickets are £10-£16 (students £8) from 01684 892277.