A new theatre company, spearheaded by Hollywood actor Michael Sheen, will establish its headquarters in Swansea, Wales—the city where Sheen’s theatrical journey began.
The Welsh National Theatre will be situated in Swansea’s civic center, overlooking Swansea Bay.
Earlier this year, Sheen announced his funding of this new venture, aiming to fill the void left by the closure of National Theatre Wales.
National Theatre Wales ceased operations last year following a £1.6 million cut in core funding from Arts Council Wales.
While the company seeks both private and public funding, Sheen has committed to initial self-financing to ensure its stability.
He expressed enthusiasm about the company’s location, praising Swansea’s “creativity, resilience and inspiration.”
“My theatrical journey began on a Swansea stage, so establishing the Welsh National Theatre here feels like a natural progression,” Sheen stated. “This will be more than an office; it will be a vibrant cultural hub welcoming artists.”
The council confirmed that a planned public sector hub will facilitate the building’s redevelopment.
The inaugural production, *Our Town*, premieres at Swansea Grand Theatre in January, followed by a Welsh tour. Sheen will perform in this production, and in a co-production with the Wales Millennium Centre later in the year.
Jill Williams, founder of Class Act Theatre School in Swansea, hailed Sheen’s initiative as “incredible,” emphasizing the opportunity for Welsh students to pursue careers at home instead of relocating to London.
Ms. Williams hopes this will inspire a return of artistic talent to the city. Her students, Alaya (10) and Sara (15), expressed excitement about the increased opportunities for local performers.
Swansea Civic Centre, opened in 1982, houses the county council chamber, offices, and the central library.
Council leader Rob Stewart called this a “proud moment” for Swansea, anticipating job creation and increased tourism.
“This provides exceptional opportunities for performance professionals—actors, musicians, artists, writers, designers, producers, and technicians—to contribute to a world-class institution, fostering new intellectual property rooted in Swansea and Wales,” he stated. “It has the potential to nurture local talent and attract more visitors.”
Sharon Gilburd, founding chief executive of Welsh National Theatre, emphasized the creation of a thriving cultural scene for future generations.
“Swansea demonstrates a strong commitment to arts and culture, and there’s a palpable sense of renaissance, resilience, creativity, and innovation here,” she told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.
She highlighted the positive collaboration with Swansea council, noting how initial discussions about *Our Town*—with Swansea-born Russell T Davies as creative associate—evolved into a broader partnership.
“Given the current climate, we cannot rely on significant public subsidies; our model must attract both funders and audiences,” she added.
Richard Mylan, actor and co-director of Grand Ambition theatre group, observed that arts activity has traditionally centered on Cardiff. He welcomed Swansea’s selection, highlighting the city’s potential and vitality. He believes this will revitalize the local arts scene, particularly for younger generations.