Latest news with #WelshNationalTheatre
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.'
The Guardian
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Michael Sheen's revived Welsh National Theatre to be based in Swansea
The new Welsh National Theatre set up by Michael Sheen will be based in Swansea, the actor has announced. Sheen stepped in earlier this year after the Cardiff-based theatre company and charity was forced to close after £1.6m in funding cuts from the Arts Council of Wales. It was announced on Wednesday that the theatre will be headquartered in Swansea, where the Neath-born actor's theatre journey began as a member of the West Glamorgan Youth Theatre. Sheen, the artistic director of the Welsh National Theatre, said: '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.' The theatre company will be based at a 'public sector hub' being built on the site of the former St David's shopping centre in Swansea's civic centre, Swansea council said. The centre currently houses the country council chamber and a library. 'This isn't about just an office space, but a cultural hub which welcomes creatives in,' Sheen said, adding that the company is working on plans to make the space come alive before audiences are welcomed in. Swansea's council leader, Rob Stewart, described the announcement as a proud moment that showed how far the city had come as a creative hub. 'We're thrilled that 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,' said Stewart. The company's first production – Our Town, by the US playwright Thornton Wilder, which is believed to have inspired Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood – stars Sheen. It will debut at Swansea's Grand theatre in January before touring Wales and the Rose theatre in Kingston upon Thames. Next year, the 56-year-old will also play Owain Glyndŵr in Owain & Henry, a new play by Gary Owen about the clash between the last Welsh-born Prince of Wales and King Henry IV, in a Welsh National Theatre and Wales Millennium Centre co-production. Sign up to The Guide Get our weekly pop culture email, free in your inbox every Friday after newsletter promotion Arts and culture funding in Wales faces a longstanding public crisis. Last year, the Arts Council of Wales warned the country's professional sector could collapse within a decade, leading the Welsh government to announce an annual £4.4m top-up. Sheen is self-funding the new Welsh National Theatre 'until it can stand on its own two feet', but is seeking public and private funding. Its Welsh-language counterpart, Theatr Cymru, was founded in 2003.
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
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Michael Sheen's new Welsh National Theatre to be based in Swansea
A new theatre company funded by Hollywood actor Michael Sheen will be based in the Welsh city where his theatrical journey National Theatre will set up its headquarters overlooking Swansea Bay in the city's civic this year, Sheen said he was funding the new theatre company to fill the gap left by the folding of National Theatre Theatre Wales said it "ceased to exist" last year after £1.6m in cuts to its core funding from Arts Council Wales. The company is seeking private and public funding, but Sheen previously said he would be self-financing it initially to allow it to "stand on its own two feet". He said he was "excited" the company would set up its home in a city of "creativity, resilience and inspiration"."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," he said."This isn't about just an office space, but a cultural hub which welcomes creatives in." The council said a proposed public sector hub in the city centre would enable the redevelopment of the building. Sheen said work was under way to make the space "come alive" before audiences would be welcomed first production, Our Town, will debut at Swansea Grand Theatre in January next year, before touring will also take to the stage in the January production, as well as in a co-production with Wales Millennium Centre later in the year. Swansea Civic Centre opened in 1982 and is currently home to the county council's chamber, as well as offices and the central leader Rob Stewart said it was a "proud moment" for Swansea as it would offer job opportunities and attract visitors."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," he said."It has the potential to stimulate a new generation of local talent and inspire even more visitors to come to our city."Sharon Gilburd, founding chief executive of Welsh National Theatre, added it would help create a "thriving" cultural scene for generations to come.
Western Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Actor Michael Sheen visits Theatr Gwaun, Fishguard
The award-winning actor, director, philanthropist and activist Michael Sheen, popped into Fishguard's Theatr Gwaun last week, which he described as a 'beautiful' venue'. He came to the theatre in his new role as and now artistic director of Welsh National Theatre, to find out what the theatre offered and what its audiences were interested in as well as to discuss possible future collaborations. Seated in the venue's Martha's Bar he said that the community owned theatre was 'such a beautiful theatre, it's wonderful'. 'With this new company, Welsh National Theatre one of the most important things you can do to begin with is see what's out there,' he explained. 'Go and look at what's going on in the country and visit all the theatres that are out there. Find out what you're doing, what you're excited about, what's interesting to you. How we can work together.' He added that Welsh National Theatre wanted to make 'shows that are there that are meaningful to Welsh audiences and telling our stories' that could be played on the biggest stages in the world, including the Millennium Centre, in Cardiff but also wanted to work in 'beautiful little theatres' like Theatr Gwaun. 'So you need to get out there and see what's out thee to be able to start doing that,' he said. 'To see what the audiences are into as well, what your experience is in this community and to find out what people are watching, what people would like to watch, what would be meaningful to people and see how we can serve that. 'It's such a beautiful theatre this, it's wonderful.' Michael Sheen announced earlier this year that he was setting up Welsh National Theatre to fill the gap left by National Theatre Wales, which closed after Arts Council Wales made £1.6m in cuts to its core funding. He has self-financed the company initially, saying that he wanted it to 'be something that represents the rich culture that we are and always have been in this country'.
