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What's new Pussycat? Tom Jones is starring in Under Milkwood


I had to read this sentence twice. 
"Tom Jones, Sian Phillips & Michael Sheen Join ‘Under Milk Wood’ Cast"
Tom Jones? As in It's Not Unusual, What's New Pussy Cat?, Delilah Tom Jones! 

I don't know why I'm so shocked. It's not like Jones has ever stopped working - he's currently a coach on The Voice UK! - but while I used to wail Why Why Why Delilah with the best of them, I personally haven't thought of Tom Jones in years. The superstar reached the height of his popularity in the 60's and 70's and you whipper snapper types may not remember but this is the man famous, not just for his crazy good Welsh singing voice, but for all the panties his female fans threw at him. The 73 year old looks so much better with his natural hair color - he used to dye it a flat black - so who knows?, the stage door security guards may still have to fend off a few devotees. 


Jones, who stars as the blind Captain Cat, along with Sian Phillips and Michael Sheen, are joing Jonathan Pryce, Mathew Rhys, John Rhys Davies, Ioan Gruffudd and opera star Bryn Terfel in the the BBC television adaptation of Dylan Thomas play. 

The play which debuted over 60 years ago on the radio has been adapted over and over again; maybe most memorably by Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Peter O'Toole in 1972. Sian Phillips appeared in that rendition as Mrs. Ogmore-Pritchard; Philips, most widely recognized for her portrayal of Livia in I, Claudius, as well as for being O'Toole's ex-wife, will play Mrs. Pugh this time around. Jones will be playing O'Toole's part. That 1972 version - available on dvd - would be something to see (and I believe I did, once upon a time.  Scroll down for the trailer. Under Milk Wood comes to the BBC in May; hopefully us kids across the sea will get it shortly after.