Michael Sheen Reclaims Welsh Rebel Leader Owain Glyndŵr
A new play about the 15th-century rebellion against the English crown will be performed at the Wales Millennium Centre, starring Michael Sheen as the titular character, to redress the balance of underrepresented Welsh history
A new play about Owain Glyndŵr's rebellion against the English crown will be performed at the Wales Millennium Centre this autumn. The play, which will star Michael Sheen as Owain Glyndŵr, aims to bring attention to a pivotal moment in Welsh history that has been largely overlooked.
Michael Sheen, who will play the lead role, was not taught about Owain Glyndŵr's rebellion against Henry IV when growing up in south Wales. Despite being voted the second most important Welsh person of all time, behind Aneurin Bevan, Glyndŵr's story has not been widely told.
The play, written by Gary Owen, an Olivier award-winning Welsh playwright, will be performed at the Donald Gordon theatre at Wales Millennium Centre, which is the second biggest stage in Europe. The production is a significant undertaking, with Sheen's company, Welsh National Theatre, behind the project.
Owain Glyndŵr was a complex figure, born into privilege and having worked in the service of English noblemen. He fought on behalf of the English king, Richard II, in Scotland and against the French, before leading a rebellion against the English crown.
## Why it matters The play is an attempt to redress the balance of Welsh history being underrepresented in films, plays, and books. There are numerous stories about heroes of English, Scottish, and Irish history, but far fewer that tell the stories of great Welsh figures. By staging this play, Sheen and the Welsh National Theatre hope to bring attention to an important part of Welsh history and culture.
The production is also significant because of its scale and ambition. Sheen noted that there are very few large-scale Welsh plays written for big theatre spaces, and that this production is an opportunity to showcase Welsh talent and storytelling on a major stage.
The play, titled Owain & Henry, will be a major event in the Welsh cultural calendar, and is expected to attract significant attention and interest. With its talented cast, crew, and production team, it is an exciting opportunity to learn more about an important figure in Welsh history and to experience the country's rich cultural heritage.
