Michael Sheen announces Welsh National Theatre's first productions as funding confirmed

The Welsh National Theatre, founded by actor Michael Sheen, has announced plans for its first "plays, people and pathways" as funding is confirmed.

In January 2025, Sheen announced ambitious plans for the formation of the new theatre company to fill the gap left by the folding of National Theatre Wales.

He said at the time he hoped the Welsh National Theatre would be a platform to nurture and support the arts in Wales, and showcase Welsh talent.

Now, the Hollywood actor has shared details of the company's first productions, as well as early funding.

The first plays will be 'Owain & Henry' in which Sheen will play the last Wales-born Prince of Wales, Owain Glyndŵr, as he clashes with King Henry IV in a battle which could lead to freedom for Wales and the end of England.

The production, written by Gary Owen, will run in the Wales Millennium Centre from November 2026.

But before that, the Welsh National Theatre will present 'Our Town', a Welsh adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play.

Swansea-born Francesca Goodridge will be directing, with acclaimed writer Russell T Davies as the creative associate and Pádraig Cusack as executive producer.

The production will tour Swansea, Llandudno, Mold and Kingston-upon-Thames from January 2026.

Detailing the plays, Michael Sheen said: “The vision of Welsh National Theatre is writ large through these firsttwo productions. 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.

"Gary Owen’s play is one of the most ambitious Welsh plays I’ve read and is the biggest and boldest of Gary’s career. That’s the creative benchmark and ambition we want to set with Welsh National Theatre.

“Playing the iconic Welsh prince on one of Europe’s biggest stages in our capital city will, I hope, be a defining moment for us as a people, and a culture. This is what Welsh National Theatre is all about."

The productions are announced as Arts Council of Wales confirms transition funding to help the new theatre develop its structures and vision.

As part of the new development plans for Welsh National Theatre, Sharon Gilburd has been announced as the company's chief executive and Tim Price as founding literary manager.

The company has also announced the "Welsh Net", which is a network of talent scouts across Wales. The scouts will watch youth, amateur and professional theatre, performances and shows, with a view to identifying and developing talent.

Michael Sheen said: “Growing up in Port Talbot, playing football on a pitch next to the A48, I always knew there was a chance that a ‘scout’ might be watching. Someone from the local area tasked by professional clubs to keep an eye out for burgeoning talent.

"It meant that, no matter how tough that road might ultimately prove to be, the possibility of a pathway to the top flight existed. I want every youngster, amateur and professional performing or working behind the scenes in Wales to have that same potential pathway to the creative top flight.”