Michael Sheen has been praised for ‘putting money where his mouth is’ as he is funding a new national theatre company in Wales.
The actor, 55, is reportedly set to become the artistic director of the Walsh National Theatre.
With its first production set to start in 2026, Michael told the Mirror that he likes ‘the idea of starting small and building up’.
The move comes after National Theatre Wales said last month it had ‘ceased to exist’ after £1.6m in cuts to its core funding from Arts Council Wales.
Michael also revealed that the new company didn’t have funding yet but he will work with what he has.
He told the publication: ‘I like the idea of starting small, simple, lean and building it up, working with what you’ve got.
Michael Sheen has been praised for ‘putting money where his mouth is’ as he is said to fund a new national theatre company in Wales
The actor, 55, is reportedly set to become the artistic director of the Walsh National Theatre
‘Don’t pay for swanky offices if you don’t need them, build it slowly with care and with passion and with vision and with ambition.
‘We aim to represent the Welsh people so I would hope that public bodies would be prepared to work with us.
‘I think probably history tells us that relying too much on any one source of funding makes you a bit vulnerable so I first and foremost would hope that this company can stand on its own two feet but we are open to working with whoever wants to get involved.’
After the announcement, Michael’s fans rushed to social media to praise the actor’s next career move.
Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, one user penned: ‘A famous actor not just talking about a lack of funding in the arts but actually DOING something about it. Putting his money where his mouth is. Michael Sheen is one of the good ones.’
‘Can we all agree that @michaelsheen is a Welsh national treasure?’
‘What a wonderful thing to do.’
‘Michael Sheen is an amazing person. Massive credit to Wales.’
With its first production set to start in 2026, Michael told the Mirror that he likes ‘the idea of starting small and building up’
The move comes after National Theatre Wales said last month it had ‘ceased to exist’ after £1.6m in cuts to its core funding from Arts Council Wales
The news comes after he was praised for ’embracing wholeheartedly’ what is the ‘interview of a lifetime’ for a group of neurodivergent people in the new BBC show, The Assembly, earlier last year.
The special followed the actor as he was quizzed by a group of autistic and neurodivergent people in conjunction with Autism Awareness Week.
Viewers said they ‘wept’ throughout the programme as they watched the powerful interactions, with Michael being moved to tears by a performance of Here Comes The Sun.
The Welsh actor held his own throughout the special and managed to answer a whole host of questions, ranging from his love life to the Royal Family.
Viewers did not waste any time to share their enthusiasm and demand more episodes of the programme onto social media.
One fan posted on X, previously known as Twitter, ‘The Assembly was wonderful. I really hope the BBC makes more!’
Others said: ‘#TheAssembly wept my way through this lovely half-hour program showing ground roots diversity with all its surprises. Michael Sheen leapt in despite some visible fleeting trepidation, then embraced it all wholeheartedly.
The news comes after he was praised for ’embracing wholeheartedly’ what is the ‘interview of a lifetime’ for a group of neurodivergent people in the new BBC show, The Assembly, earlier last year
The special showed actor be quizzed by a group of autistic and neurodivergent people in conjunction with Autism Awareness Week – and they didn’t hold back
‘#TheAssembly with #Autistic & #LearningDisabled people asking Michael Sheen questions is the most beautiful programme I’ve seen in ages. My tribe are so incredibly funny, talented & blisteringly honest, & @michaelsheen was just absolutely lovely. Wish everybody would watch it.’
‘The Assembly on BBC One is one of the best programmes I’ve seen in a long time. All of humanity on show. Fantastic.’
A couple were overjoyed by Michael Sheen being so calm and collected throughout the episode, with his charismatic charm.
‘I have little knowledge on the interviewers disabilities but wow, and how nice is Michael Sheen.’