Dylan Thomas wrote Under Milk Wood in May of 1953 as a "play for voices". It is one of the last pieces he wrote before his death in November of 1953. Thomas' theme for the play is a day in the life of a Welsh sea-town. Milk Wood presents the theme by giving the audience full view of the thoughts and dreams of the town's inhabitants. He created the "First Voice" character to lead the audience through the town's streets and to express the play's more poetic aspects.

In the first and only recording of this play (May 14, 1953) Thomas played the First Voice, Second Drowned, 5th Drowned, and Rev. Eli Jenkins. It was only by luck that the reading was recorded: Thomas died about a month later.

Under Milk Wood is one of the most analyzed pieces of Dylan Thomas' writing. Critics agree that this play is the climax of his prose. David Holbrook writes that Thomas' "play for voices" achieves "something towards a new poetic voice" in reference to its structure. Many critics seem fascinated by the play's poetic rhythm with little or no mention of artistic merit or value.