Wales Millennium Centre announces Owain & Henry, an ambitious new production that brings to life one of Wales’ most defining stories. Written by acclaimed playwright Gary Owen, this epic play will chart the rebellion of Owain Glyndŵr against King Henry IV in a battle that could change the course of Welsh history. Starring Michael Sheen as the last Welsh-born Prince of Wales, this landmark production will take to the Donald Gordon Theatre stage in November 2026 as part of a co-production with Welsh National Theatre.
This announcement reaffirms Wales Millennium Centre’s long-standing commitment to championing bold, world-class storytelling from Wales. Owain & Henry is the latest in a series of landmark productions that embody its mission to connect Wales and the world through extraordinary stories. While its scale and ambition make it a truly special moment, it also continues a proud tradition of bringing iconic Welsh narratives to the stage in a way that resonates both locally and globally.
Graeme Farrow, Artistic and Creative Director of Wales Millennium Centre, said:
“Wales Millennium Centre is dedicated to working with artists to tell powerful stories that captivate and inspire. Owain & Henry builds on our commitment to producing high-quality theatre and supports Welsh and Wales-based artists in being ambitious in their work. In 2024, audiences from 28 countries came to see Nye and 25% of the total audience had never attended a show at Wales Millennium Centre before. This co-production with Welsh National Theatre will share another iconic story deeply rooted in our national identity and history; we can’t wait for audiences worldwide to experience it.”
Michael Sheen, Artistic Director of Welsh National Theatre, added:
“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. This co-production model suits our early stage of working and it’s a thrill for Wales Millennium Centre to join us on this journey.”
Owain & Henry is part of Wales Millennium Centre’s wider strategy to create and champion major Welsh-led productions that engage audiences at home and abroad. The Centre has a proud legacy of supporting artists and companies who push creative boundaries, and this production exemplifies its mission to celebrate Welsh history and culture through the power of theatre.
Alongside Owain & Henry, Welsh National Theatre will also present Our Town, a co-production with the Rose Theatre, relocating Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play as a small Welsh town. Michael Sheen will take on the leading role of Stage Manager, with Swansea-born Francesca Goodridge directing and Russell T Davies as the creative associate. The production will open at Swansea Grand, followed by a short tour to North Wales before heading to London.
These productions mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Welsh theatre, bringing world-class storytelling to audiences in Cardiff, across Wales, and beyond. Listings and ticket information can be found here.
