‘I was never taught Welsh history’: Michael Sheen on reclaiming rebel leader Owain Glyndŵr
Actor will play 15th-century hero in sweeping production about Welsh rebellion against English crown
TL;DR
- A new play, 'Owain & Henry,' will feature Michael Sheen as Welsh nobleman Owain Glyndŵr and his rebellion against the English crown.
- The play addresses the underrepresentation of Welsh historical figures in popular culture and education.
- Glyndŵr, a figure of significant historical importance in Wales, had his story largely unknown to Sheen during his upbringing.
- The production, staged by Welsh National Theatre at Wales Millennium Centre, is noted as one of the few large-scale Welsh plays written for big theatre spaces.
- Playwright Gary Owen wrote the sweeping version of Glyndŵr's story during the pandemic, feeling it might never be produced.
- Glyndŵr is described as an unlikely rebel, initially born into privilege and serving English nobles before being forced into rebellion by a land dispute.
- The play is performed in English and is seen as a catalyst for contemporary conversations about Welsh identity, nationhood, leadership, and the responsible use of power.
- Sheen connects the play's themes to current political changes in Wales, with a new Plaid Cymru administration and the UK Labour government.
- Sheen expresses a desire for engagement from the new Welsh administration on issues like toxic waste dumping and support for the arts.