S4C premières a Welsh language animated film of Dylan Thomas' classic story, A Child's Christmas in Wales - Nadolig Plentyn yng Nghymru - over the festive period, and as a perfect taster to the film, we'll hear about the Christmas memories of cast and crew who worked on the production.
Actor Matthew Rhys, actress Rhian Morgan, scriptwriter T James Jones and members of the Only Men Aloud choir are among the contributors to the documentary Atgofion Nadolig yng Nghymru.
Cardiff-bred Matthew, who recently played Dylan Thomas in the film The Edge of Love, narrates the animation and shares the same enthusiasm for Christmas as the poet.
Matthew says, "I still love Christmas and now that my sister has two young children, the magic of Christmas continues. My mother loves traditions and so Christmas is an important occasion for her and the family. I still get a stocking full of nuts, tangerines and of course, the old favourite, Terry's Chocolate Orange."
One gift that Matthew recalls receiving is a bright red tracksuit with the letters M R printed on it. But the present he has used the most, perhaps, is his copy of the Dylan Thomas classic, A Child's Christmas in Wales, which he reads every Christmas Eve to get into the festive spirit.
Rhian Morgan remembers receiving a ukulele one Christmas when she had asked for a guitar and recalls that her Aunty Doris, to her great delight, always placed Jelly Tots on top of the Christmas cake. Screenwriter T. James Jones says that traditional Christmas pudding is a must every Christmas, whether money is hidden in it or not!
Gwion Jones, one of the three boys who won the part of Oliver in the West End show after competing in the BBC series I'd Do Anything, and Last Choir Standing winners Only Men Aloud, both perform songs in the film.
The 12-year-old Llandybie boy soprano reveals that he prefers beef to turkey, while Only Men Aloud's musical director Tim Rhys Evans believes that Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the traditional bread and cranberry sauces. Another choir member recalls a time when he received half a bottle of cologne as a present from an aunty.
Some of the most colourful memories come from Dylan Thomas' daughter, Aeronwy.
Aeronwy says, “I remember the holly over the fire got singed, and we had to put it out, before it started a conflagration. I also remember the whole family coming together to play word games in the afternoon."
The programme, Atgofion Nadolig yng Nghymru, produced by Cwmni Da, also includes clips of the new film as a taster of the television premiere on Christmas Eve.
© 2010 S4C
O Gymru / Made in Wales