A teacher who inspired Richard Burton will be the subject of a special talk next month as part of the Barry Arts Festival.
Philip Burton's story was recently turned into a film starring Toby Jones ('Mr Bates vs the Post Office') as the man who first recognised his pupil's talents.
In turn, Richard Jenkins adopted his mentor's surname at the start of his illustrious acting career.
Writer and historian Angela V John's latest book 'Behind the Scenes: The Dramatic Lives of Philip Burton', delves deeper into the life of the schoolteacher from Mountain Ash, who would go onto become an acclaimed BBC producer, before going onto direct on Broadway and establish a theatre academy in New York.
The talk, 'From Mountain Ash to Key West', will be held at Cubanas on Broad Street on Wednesday 9th July at 7.30pm.
Barry Arts Festival organiser Dot Connell said: "Following the release of the film earlier this year about Mr Burton, it gives great pleasure to invite historian and writer Angela V John to speak about her newly published book on the dramatic lives of Philip Burton."
"Although best known for his discovery of the famous actor, Philip Burton had a fascinating life which led him from Mountain Ash to his time as a teacher in Port Talbot and then a BBC scriptwriter and Broadway theatre director, working with talents such as Dylan Thomas, before settling in Key West, Florida."
"For many years, his protégé Richard Burton was perhaps the best-known Welshman in the world, so understanding the man who uncovered and nurtured his talent for acting and film will be a fascinating night of chat and conversation."
"Barry Arts Festival would like to thank our sponsors Barry Town Council and Newydd for their support for arts and culture in our town."
Tickets for the talk are £10 - with limited tickets available on the door. To buy in advance, contact Dot Connell on 07982 319 456 or visit Ticketsource.
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