Michael Sheen is determined to make the most of a unique opportunity. To be honest, he has no choice but to seize it. He's launching Welsh National Theatre with the production of Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Our Town, which will tour Wales and eventually move on to London. This bold move comes at a time when the country is struggling to maintain its cultural institutions.
Sheen believes that by giving a bigger platform to talented Welsh writers and performers, he can make a real difference. The company's founding was an "emergency situation" for him, as it seemed like a window of opportunity had closed on creating a national theatre in Wales. He took matters into his own hands and put his money behind the venture.
Welsh National Theatre aims to create large-scale platforms for Welsh talent, both domestically and internationally. The company's creative associate, Russell T Davies, says that this is about building an audience and using it as an engine to address more fundamental problems in the theatre world. Sheen also wants to help playwrights write plays they want to write, rather than being limited by practical constraints.
The production of Our Town will be followed by Owain & Henry, a new play by Gary Owen, with Matthew Rhys set to star in Mark Jenkins's Playing Burton. The company plans to champion big stories on big stages and stand up against the devaluation of arts in Wales.
For Francesca Goodridge, transposing Wilder's fictional Grover's Corners to Wales seemed like a no-brainer. The play will be performed by a cast of 18 Welsh actors, which is rare and wonderful. Goodridge was drawn to large ensemble and movement-led pieces, and she believes that Our Town fits the bill perfectly.
Sheen says that he wants to give audiences a sense of connection to their community and highlight the details they often miss in life. The production will be performed in a way that feels authentic and true to Welsh culture, with the language being more lyrical and sing-songy than in the original play.
The new company is built on Sheen's desire to make a positive impact on his community. He believes that at some point in our lives, we all need help, so it's essential that we offer support to others as well. This philosophy translates into his approach to building talent and creating ambition for generations to come.
Welsh National Theatre is making its debut with Our Town, which will open at the Grand theatre in Swansea before moving on to London. The show will also be performed at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, and Theatr Clwyd, Mold.
Sheen believes that by giving a bigger platform to talented Welsh writers and performers, he can make a real difference. The company's founding was an "emergency situation" for him, as it seemed like a window of opportunity had closed on creating a national theatre in Wales. He took matters into his own hands and put his money behind the venture.
Welsh National Theatre aims to create large-scale platforms for Welsh talent, both domestically and internationally. The company's creative associate, Russell T Davies, says that this is about building an audience and using it as an engine to address more fundamental problems in the theatre world. Sheen also wants to help playwrights write plays they want to write, rather than being limited by practical constraints.
The production of Our Town will be followed by Owain & Henry, a new play by Gary Owen, with Matthew Rhys set to star in Mark Jenkins's Playing Burton. The company plans to champion big stories on big stages and stand up against the devaluation of arts in Wales.
For Francesca Goodridge, transposing Wilder's fictional Grover's Corners to Wales seemed like a no-brainer. The play will be performed by a cast of 18 Welsh actors, which is rare and wonderful. Goodridge was drawn to large ensemble and movement-led pieces, and she believes that Our Town fits the bill perfectly.
Sheen says that he wants to give audiences a sense of connection to their community and highlight the details they often miss in life. The production will be performed in a way that feels authentic and true to Welsh culture, with the language being more lyrical and sing-songy than in the original play.
The new company is built on Sheen's desire to make a positive impact on his community. He believes that at some point in our lives, we all need help, so it's essential that we offer support to others as well. This philosophy translates into his approach to building talent and creating ambition for generations to come.
Welsh National Theatre is making its debut with Our Town, which will open at the Grand theatre in Swansea before moving on to London. The show will also be performed at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, and Theatr Clwyd, Mold.
, a new Welsh National Theatre is just what Wales needed, you know? It's like how the BBC used to be back in the day, it was always on about promoting British culture, and now we've got Michael Sheen trying to do the same thing. He's taking that iconic play Our Town and transplanting it to Wales 
️, which is just brilliant. I mean, who wouldn't want to see a production of that play in Cardiff or wherever? It's not like our theatre scene was struggling or anything 
. But seriously, Sheen seems like he genuinely cares about the community and wants to give talented Welsh writers and performers a platform. That's really cool. I just wish I could've seen something like this back when I was at school 
. Anyway, it'll be great to see what else they come up with, fingers crossed for Owain & Henry and Playing Burton!
. I mean, can you imagine if more companies took the lead on creating a platform for talented Welsh writers and performers? It's about time we saw some growth in this area 
. Sheen's commitment to giving big stages to big stories is music to my ears 
. And let's be real, Our Town is an epic production 
! I'm low-key excited to see how the tour goes and if it can make a real difference for arts in Wales 
.
. It sounds like he really believes in the power of arts to bring people together and make a positive impact on his community 
. I love that he's putting his money where his mouth is and taking a stand against the devaluation of arts in Wales 
. The idea of using large-scale platforms for Welsh talent both domestically and internationally is genius 
. Let's see how it all unfolds! Fingers crossed for this new venture, hoping it'll bring some much-needed attention to the cultural institutions in Wales 
. i think it's genius that he wants to give a bigger platform to talented wales-based writers and performers, it's about time we saw more of our own people shining on the stage 
he's literally giving the people of wales a platform to shine and for once its not just about some big name actors coming in and out of london 
. it feels like hes actually listening to what the community wants and needs 
and thats something that our theatre scene has been lacking for ages 
. i mean who wouldn't want to see owain & henry or playing burton on stage? 
. hes not just talking about giving a platform to talented writers and performers, he's actually willing to take the risk and put his money where his mouth is 
. lets be real though, this is just what we need right now 
, a breath of fresh air in an industry that's been stagnant for years 
. Fingers crossed for the future of Welsh National Theatre! 
. Sheen's philosophy of helping others is so inspiring 
. He knows the importance of preserving cultural institutions and giving opportunities to talented Welsh writers and performers 
. Can't wait to see how it all comes together! 