Michael Sheen has launched the inaugural production for the new Welsh National Theatre with a slick and thought-provoking revival of Thornton Wilder's eight-decade-old American classic, 'Our Town'. The play, traditionally set in the fictional New Hampshire town of Grover's Corners, has been intriguingly transposed to a Welsh context, with Sheen leading the cast in this ambitious venture.
A Bold Choice for a New Theatre
When Newport-born actor Michael Sheen announced last year that 'Our Town' would be the debut production for his self-funded Welsh National Theatre, replacing the recently shuttered National Theatre Wales, it seemed an unexpected selection. The play is deeply rooted in American culture, focusing on small-town life in early 20th-century New England, which initially appears as Welsh as corn dogs or Super Bowl Sunday.
However, Francesca Goodridge's assured direction at the Rose Theatre reveals the aptness of this choice. Sheen, who also serves as the artistic director of the Welsh National Theatre, takes on the role of the stage manager, the play's fourth wall-breaking narrator. This metatextual casting adds a layer of depth to a work already rich with theatrical innovation.
Stellar Performances and Minimalist Design
Sheen's performance is a major draw, with his big, loud, and avuncular style fitting the stage manager role, which has been played by legends like Paul Newman and Orson Welles. He guides the audience through the goings-on in Grover's Corners, where the teenage love affair between George, played by Peter Devlin, and Emily, portrayed by Yasemin Özdemir, unfolds.
The first two acts offer a spirited evocation of small-town life, blending wisdom and humour, with standout performances from the parental characters. Sian Reese-Williams and Matthew Trevannion play George's parents, while Nia Roberts and Rhodri Meilir take on Emily's parents, adding Welsh authenticity to the production.
Designer Hayley Grindle employs the play's traditional minimalist approach, using few props and set decorations to create purposeful and richly symbolic flourishes. This simplicity allows the universal themes of life and community to shine through, transcending the original American setting.
Universal Themes in a Welsh Context
The transposition to Wales involves actors using their own Welsh accents, though many American references remain unchanged, creating a unique blend that some might find slightly wooly. Yet, this confusion ultimately serves the play's core message: 'Our Town' is not merely about Grover's Corners, USA, but about life in its most universal sense.
Sheen demonstrates nuance in the elegiac third act, delivering an emotional gut-punch that highlights the play's timeless relevance. By choosing such a time-tested classic for its inaugural play, the Welsh National Theatre aims to establish a tradition rooted in something old and far-reaching, setting the stage for future productions.
Looking Ahead
The second production for the Welsh National Theatre will be an original Welsh play by Gary Owen, offering a stark and deliberate counterpoint to this revival. 'Our Town' runs at the Rose Theatre in Kingston until 28 March, capturing the essence of life and community in a way that resonates across cultures and borders.
