Dancing poetry

A group of dancers will present the words of Dylan Thomas, one of Britain's most loved poets, on stage in a tour around China. Liu Jinmei speaks to those involved in the bold production, which combines traditional Welsh music.

In a bitter and sad tone, Welsh poet Dylan Thomas lamented that his poem was not written for "the strut and trade of charms on the ivory stages". If he had lived to watch the National Dance Company Wales performers dance to his poetry, he would have swallowed his own words.

The company's latest production, By Singing Light, interweaving Thomas' poetry and Welsh songs, enthralled those who packed Queen Elizabeth Hall in London in February. The bold and energetic performance drew cheers and applause from the audience as they relived the works of one of Britain's most loved poets.