Michael Sheen to star in all-Welsh staging of Our Town – a landmark production for new Welsh National Theatre
Stage and screen heavyweight Michael Sheen will lead an all-Welsh cast in Our Town, the first production from the newly launched Welsh National Theatre, in a major collaboration with Rose Theatre in Kingston, southwest London.
Sheen takes on the role of the Stage Manager in Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, reimagined here through a distinctly Welsh lens. The production, directed by Francesca Goodridge and creatively supported by Russell T Davies, opens in Swansea this January before touring to Llandudno and Mold, and culminating in a London run from 26 February to 28 March 2026.
Set in the fictional town of Grover’s Corners, Our Town is a quiet epic of daily life, death, and what we miss while we’re living. In this version, its universal themes are filtered through the concept of “hiraeth” – a particularly Welsh sense of longing for a time, place, or person that may never return.
The all-Welsh ensemble includes rising and established talent from both stage and screen: Rhodri Meilir, Sian Reese-Williams, Yasemin Özdemir, and Gareth Snook are among those joining Sheen in bringing Wilder’s timeless drama to life.
This marks the first time Our Town has been staged by a fully Welsh company – a significant cultural moment that aims to amplify Welsh voices on a national stage, with Sheen also serving as Artistic Director of the new company.
Michael Sheen, Welsh National Theatre Artistic Director, said: “This is an incredible opportunity to present a Welsh interpretation of a classic which tours our nation and takes our voice to London, giving Welsh talent a platform to perform. We can’t wait to meet audiences and welcome them to our world.”
Christopher Haydon, Rose TheatreArtisticDirector, said: “I can’t think of a better actor to lead this remarkable Welsh company than Michael Sheen. This is a play with a universal message about love and the importance of community. It will speak to our local audience and to all those across London who hold these values close. I’m also excited to welcome many of London’s own Welsh community through our doors for the first time and to share with them whispers of home, their family and friends across the miles.”
Tickets are on sale now and can be booked via:
Tickets are on sale now and can be booked via:
Swansea Grand Theatre | www.swanseagrand.co.uk
Venue Cymru | www.venuecymru.co.uk
Theatr Clwyd | www.theatrclwyd.com
Rose Theatre | www.rosetheatre.org
A Rose Theatre and Welsh National Theatre production
OUR TOWN
By Thornton WIlder
Directed by Francesca Goodridge
Creative Associate, Russell T Davies
Starring Michael Sheen
Swansea Grand Theatre, Friday 16 January-Saturday 31 January 2026
Swansea Grand Theatre National Press Night: Wednesday 21 January 2026, 7.30pm
Venue Cymru in Llandudno, Tuesday 3 February-Saturday 7 February 2026
Theatr Clwyd in Mold, Wednesday 11 February-Saturday 21 February 2026
Rose Theatre, Kingston upon Thames, South West London, Thursday 26 February – Saturday 28 March 2026
Rose Theatre Gala Night: Wednesday 4 March 2026, 7.30pm
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
