Latest news with #Owain&Henry
Business News Wales
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business News Wales
Welsh National Theatre Sets Up Home in Swansea
The Welsh National Theatre has set up its first headquarters in Swansea. Founded by Michael Sheen earlier this year, the company's headquarters will be in the city's civic centre. Its first production, Our Town, debuts at Swansea Grand Theatre between 16 and 31 January 2026. The play, which later tours Wales before closing at co-production partner the Rose Theatre in Kingston-upon-Thames, is directed by Swansea-born Francesca Goodridge with Swansea native Russell T Davies as creative associate. Michael Sheen, artistic director of Welsh National Theatre, said: 'My theatrical journey began on the stage in Swansea as a member of the West Glamorgan Youth Theatre, so it feels fitting to come full circle to base Welsh National Theatre in the city. Swansea is a place of creativity, resilience and inspiration and I'm excited by the possibilities this presents not just for artists, but for the people of Wales. 'This isn't about just an office space, but a cultural hub which welcomes creatives in, and we're working on plans to make the space come alive with actors, directors, producers and writers before the work meets audiences. In just seven months, a Swansea audience will be the first anywhere in the world to see a Welsh National Theatre production live; the countdown is truly on.' Sharon Gilburd, founding chief executive of Welsh National Theatre, added: 'We see Swansea as an integral part of our future. There's genuine heartfelt passion and commitment from the Swansea Council team to work with us so we can all help to create a thriving and innovative cultural scene — both for today and for generations to come.' After taking to the stage in Swansea in Our Town, Sheen will play Owain Glyndŵr in Gary Owen's epic new play, Owain & Henry, in a Welsh National Theatre and Wales Millennium Centre co-production in November 2026. The decision by Welsh National Theatre to set up in the city has been welcomed by Council Leader Rob Stewart, who said: 'This is a proud moment for Swansea. Having Welsh National Theatre based here shows how far we've come as a creative city. The creation of Welsh National Theatre marks a bold step in raising the profile of Welsh storytelling on a global stage — and by choosing Swansea as its home, it strengthens the city's role as a hub for national and international creative talent. 'This brings real opportunities for those working across the performance sector — from actors to musicians, artists and writers to designers, producers and technicians — to be part of something world-class, creating new intellectual property, rooted in Swansea and rooted in Wales. Wales deserves an English language national theatre company — and we're thrilled that, through the vision of its artistic director Michael Sheen, Welsh National Theatre has chosen Swansea as its home. The impact of hosting world-class theatre in Swansea will be transformative. It has the potential to stimulate a new generation of local talent and inspire even more visitors to come to our city.' The announcement follows months of collaboration between Welsh National Theatre and Swansea Council to shape this partnership. Elliott King, the Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Human Rights and Equalities, said the theatre's decision reflects years of investment and collaboration that has unveiled key initiatives, such as the Creative Swansea network for professionals and businesses in the creative and cultural industries, and Grand Ambition, which creates theatre with and for local communities. He said: 'From the Swansea Building Society Arena to grassroots music and performance spaces, the many creative people who help make our local culture so vibrant, innovative and diverse also ensure it's the best place for audiences to enjoy. Welsh National Theatre being based in Swansea will help attract even more attention to our creative industries and cultural sector. Working with schools, universities, digital trend-setters and businesses, our ambition for Swansea to make its mark on an international stage has never looked brighter.'
Wales Online
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Michael Sheen gives update on new national theatre and says 'it feels fitting'
Michael Sheen gives update on new national theatre and says 'it feels fitting' The Hollywood actor described it as a 'full circle moment' Elliott King, Swansea Council cabinet member for culture, human rights and equalities, council leader Rob Stewart, Michael Sheen, artistic director for Welsh National Theatre and Sharon Gilburd, the theatre's chief executive officer outside Swansea Civic Centre (Image: South Wales Evening Post ) Hollywood actor Michael Sheen has announced Swansea will be the new home of Welsh National Theatre. The Port Talbot actor has announced his company's first headquarters will be in the city's civic centre, overlooking the beach of Swansea Bay. It comes after it was announced that Welsh National Theatre's first production, Our Town, will debut at Swansea Grand Theatre next year from January 16 to 31. The play, which later tours Wales before closing at co-production partner the Rose Theatre in Kingston-upon-Thames, is directed by Swansea-born Francesca Goodridge with Swansea native Russell T Davies as creative associate. Mr Sheen, who is artistic director of Welsh National Theatre, said there was a special reason why Swansea had been selected. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here . He said: "My theatrical journey began on the stage in Swansea as a member of the West Glamorgan Youth Theatre, so it feels fitting to come full circle to base Welsh National Theatre in the city. "Swansea is a place of creativity, resilience and inspiration and I'm excited by the possibilities this presents not just for artists, but for the people of Wales. "This isn't about just an office space, but a cultural hub which welcomes creatives in, and we're working on plans to make the space come alive with actors, directors, producers and writers before the work meets audiences. In just seven months, a Swansea audience will be the first anywhere in the world to see a Welsh National Theatre production live; the countdown is truly on." Article continues below Sharon Gilburd, founding chief executive of Welsh National Theatre, added: "We see Swansea as an integral part of our future. There's genuine heartfelt passion and commitment from the Swansea Council team to work with us so we can all help to create a thriving and innovative cultural scene — both for today and for generations to come." After taking to the stage in Swansea in Our Town, Sheen will play Owain Glyndŵr in Gary Owen's epic new play, Owain & Henry, in a Welsh National Theatre and Wales Millennium Centre co-production in November 2026. The decision by Welsh National Theatre to set up in the city has been welcomed by council leader Rob Stewart. He said: "This is a proud moment for Swansea. Having Welsh National Theatre based here shows how far we've come as a creative city. The creation of Welsh National Theatre marks a bold step in raising the profile of Welsh storytelling on a global stage — and by choosing Swansea as its home, it strengthens the city's role as a hub for national and international creative talent. "This brings real opportunities for those working across the performance sector — from actors to musicians, artists and writers to designers, producers and technicians — to be part of something world-class, creating new intellectual property, rooted in Swansea and rooted in Wales. "Wales deserves an English language national theatre company — and we're thrilled that, through the vision of its artistic director Michael Sheen, Welsh National Theatre has chosen Swansea as its home. The impact of hosting world-class theatre in Swansea will be transformative. It has the potential to stimulate a new generation of local talent and inspire even more visitors to come to our city." Article continues below And the council's cabinet member for culture, human rights and equalities, Elliott King added: "From the Swansea Building Society Arena to grassroots music and performance spaces, the many creative people who help make our local culture so vibrant, innovative and diverse also ensure it's the best place for audiences to enjoy. "Welsh National Theatre being based in Swansea will help attract even more attention to our creative industries and cultural sector. Working with schools, universities, digital trend-setters and businesses, our ambition for Swansea to make its mark on an international stage has never looked brighter."
BBC News
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Michael Sheen to portray the 'true Welsh prince' Owain Glyndŵr
The actor Michael Sheen has said he will star as Owain Glyndŵr, the last Welsh-born Prince of Wales, in a new theatre & Henry will tell the story of Glyndŵr's rebellion against English rule in Wales during the 15th Century, in one of the first productions announced by Welsh National Theatre, Sheen's own theatre became a figurehead for Welsh nationalism and there are statues, monuments, pub and street names across Wales commemorating who previously said the Royal family should give up the Prince of Wales title, said as Glyndŵr he would portray "the true Welsh prince". "Owain & Henry is one of the origin stories of our nation, as relevant in today's complex world as it was when Glyndŵr declared Wales an independent nation six hundred years ago," said Sheen, who is from Port Talbot in south Wales. The play will be performed at Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff in November who as an actor is best known for transforming into characters including Prince Andrew, David Frost and Tony Blair, said he was "incredibly excited"."It's the play that tells the exact story that I want this national theatre company to be able to tell, on the second biggest stage in Europe," Sheen told BBC News. Who was Owain Glyndŵr? Owain Glyndŵr instigated a 15-year revolt against the rule of King Henry IV and claimed the title Prince of Wales, before Wales was reconquered by the than a hundred years earlier, Llywelyn ap Gruffydd - the last prince of an independent Wales - had been killed in battle and his head sent to Edward I, the English I then invested his son Edward II as the Prince of Wales, and since then the title has customarily - though not always - been given to the heir 2020, Sheen told newspaper columnist Owen Jones that when the time came for the Prince of Wales title to be handed down from Charles to William, "it would be a really meaningful and powerful gesture for that title to no longer be held in the same way as it has before". Owain & Henry is believed to be the first time the story of Glyndŵr has been tackled by a play's writer, Gary Owen, said when he began to write the story Sheen was his "dream casting" - but he had never imagined it becoming a reality."I've been saying for years that we need to do these big shows here in Wales. We need to connect with a big audience," said Owen."And now I have to actually do it. So it's some pressure but it's very welcome pressure."Sheen said he had been a "huge fan" of Owen's work for years, calling him "one of the greatest writers Wales has ever produced". "There'll be people who come along to this who have never heard of Owain Glyndŵr before, have no idea what the history is, the importance of that moment in our culture."And it starts a conversation, you know, it starts a national conversation." Sheen announced that he was funding the Welsh National Theatre in January, to fill the gap left by the folding of National Theatre company, which has received £200,000 in transition funding from Arts Council Wales, has also announced a Welsh spin on the classic American play Our Town, with Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies overseeing as creative Town will tour Swansea, Mold, Llandudno and Kingston-upon-Thames between January and March National Theatre said it had also commissioned four Welsh writers to create plays of "national significance", and created a network of talent scouts to find and develop new Welsh talent."When I used to play football on a pitch by the side of the A48 in Port Talbot, I always knew that there was the possibility that there might be someone standing on the touch line," said Sheen. "Local people who were the eyes and ears of the big clubs. There was always the potential you could end up at Man United or Liverpool. "And I've always thought, why isn't there a similar system for the arts, for the theatre? So I'm trying to create that and using the Welsh National Theatre company as the kind of engine for that."Sheen said "lots of people have been getting in touch" to support Welsh National Theatre since it was announced - including fellow Hollywood Welsh-born actor Matthew Rhys. "I had a lovely message from Matthew," said said people had also shown support in other ways, including through a surprise donation sent to his parents."The envelope just said 'brilliant actor Michael Sheen'. And it got to my parents. And inside it said 'what you're doing with the Welsh National Theatre - think it's brilliant. Would love to support it'."And I keep [the cheque] in my pocket," said Sheen."I walk around with it now."
