Wales


<p>Matthew Rhys is no stranger to intense roles – from <em>The Americans</em> and <em>Perry Mason</em> to <em>Brothers and Sisters</em> and the upcoming Netflix drama, <em>The Beast in Me</em> – he’s built an Emmy-award winning career on brooding complexity. But this autumn, he’s taking on something far more personal (and scary): a one-man stage show, touring the country, honouring another Welsh titan, Richard Burton. </p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://www.welshnationaltheatre.com/playing-burton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Playing Burton</a></em></strong>, written by Mark Jenkins, offers a powerful portrait of Burton’s life – from his working-class beginnings in South Wales to the heights of Hollywood fame, the inner conflict that defined him and (of course) his stormy relationship with Elizabeth Taylor. Burton and this play mean a great deal to Wales (as does Rhys) so it&#8217;s no wonder half the dates are already sold out! Ahead of curtain up, we caught up with Rhys to see how the preparations are going. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Matthew-Rhys-RT_cmyk-2.jpg" alt="Matthew Rhys Playing Burton" class="wp-image-122623"/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-this-play-sounds-like-the-perfect-storm-a-welsh-legend-played-by-another-welsh-legend-touring-wales-how-did-this-all-come-about">This play sounds like the perfect storm – a Welsh legend, played by another Welsh legend, touring Wales. How did this all come about?</h3>



<p>I first saw&nbsp;<em>Look Back in Anger</em>&nbsp;about 30 years ago and became a huge Richard Burton fan pretty much overnight. Then, when I was at drama school, I saw <em>Playing Burton</em> in London and it just clicked for me. It’s stayed with me ever since, and I’ve always wanted to take a crack at it – though the idea of a one-man show terrified me! I actually did it for Audible during COVID, and then Michael Sheen threw down the gauntlet, saying he’d taken over the Welsh National Theatre (WNT) and with the centenary celebrations in Wales, I realised there’s no better time than now. So I had to stop running and finally face it.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-it-s-been-a-while-since-you-ve-been-on-stage-in-wales-right">And it’s been a while since you’ve been on stage in Wales, right?</h3>



<p>Yeah, two decades since my last Welsh stage show. And honestly? I’m absolutely terrified. I did a run-through yesterday and forgot nearly all my lines. Total blind panic. There’s no one else on stage to save you. If you blank, you blank!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-burton-died-in-1984-what-was-it-about-him-that-drew-you-in">Burton died in 1984. What was it about him that drew you in?</h3>



<p>He was just incredible. After <em>Look Back in Anger</em>&nbsp;blew me away, I read Melvyn Bragg’s biography&nbsp;<em>Rich</em> and just fell in love. His poetry readings,&nbsp;<em>Under Milk Wood</em>, even his&nbsp;<em>Hamlet</em>&nbsp;on audio were the soundtrack of my teens. What really struck me was that he paved the way for Welsh actors to take up space with confidence – something we’re not always great at. He was a true pioneer and an inspiration for many, not just for me.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-has-revisiting-burton-through-this-play-taught-you-anything-new">Has revisiting Burton through this play taught you anything new?</h3>



<p>It’s reminded me of the depth of his torment. He was a deeply troubled man, masked by hard drinking and bravado. That swagger was another mask hiding his complexities – the play brings that out beautifully.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-burton-is-such-a-big-figure-how-do-you-balance-tribute-with-impersonation">Burton is such a big figure, how do you balance tribute with impersonation?</h3>



<p>That’s the tricky bit. In Wales, some generations know his voice intimately. I can’t do&nbsp;<em>that</em>&nbsp;voice, nor do I want to do a full impersonation. I’m still figuring out the balance – a nod to the voice without it becoming a caricature. Honestly, it’s still a work in progress.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-you-find-yourself-going-full-burton-around-the-house">Do you find yourself going full Burton around the house?</h3>



<p>Oh yeah. The kids are like, “What are you doing now?” and I&#8217;m like none of your business in my best Burton baritone.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-there-a-moment-in-the-play-that-always-hits-you-emotionally">Is there a moment in the play that always hits you emotionally?</h3>



<p>Definitely at the end, when he looks back on his life with this deep sense of never quite achieving what he wanted. Despite all his success, he felt caught between worlds – never fully accepted by the English stage, never quite satisfied with Hollywood. He was nominated for seven Oscars and never won, which really got to him. That moment always gets me and I want to say to him, “You did it, you’re our hero!”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-so-why-the-long-wait-to-return-to-the-welsh-stage">So why the long wait to return to the Welsh stage?</h3>



<p>Honestly, it just happened. I’ve often thought, “I should get back to theatre,” then before you know it, 22 years have slipped by. It’s almost a quarter-century! Which is embarrassing, but I’m just so glad to be back now.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-michael-sheen-is-doing-amazing-things-for-welsh-arts-are-there-other-welsh-stories-you-want-to-explore">Michael Sheen is doing amazing things for Welsh arts. Are there other Welsh stories you want to explore?</h3>



<p>Yes! There’s a play Michael’s involved in about the Welsh rebellion led by Owain Glyndŵr and I’ve been trying to get that onto screen for ages. It’s tricky but important, telling those big Welsh stories in a way that speaks to now. I think a limited TV series would work brilliantly for it though.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sound-epic-you-re-a-proud-welshman-living-in-america-what-s-that-like">Sound epic. You’re a proud Welshman living in America. What’s that like?</h3>



<p>It’s always interesting – the spectrum of reactions is wild. Some people are like, “Wait… Wales? That’s a country?” Then they find out it has its own language and their minds are blown. Others go, “Oh yeah, Tom Jones! The Ryder Cup!” So you’re constantly hopping between explaining the basics and having surprisingly in-depth chats about Welsh culture. But I do love flying the flag, it keeps you connected.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-heard-you-re-teaching-your-son-welsh-have-you-tried-to-teach-kerri-too">I heard you’re teaching your son Welsh, have you tried to teach Kerri too?</h3>



<p>Yes! Funnily enough, her understanding is surprisingly good because she learned alongside Sam. She can’t really speak it, but she definitely understands what’s being said between me and him. Every now and then she’ll go, “I know what you’re saying,” which is funny. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-often-do-you-get-back-to-wales">How often do you get back to Wales?</h3>



<p>We’re lucky to come back every year. Work has allowed us extended trips recently, so it’s been great to spend more time at home.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-you-have-any-must-do-rituals-when-you-re-back">Do you have any must-do rituals when you’re back?</h3>



<p>Very boring but true – and this will sadly offend my mum&#8217;s cooking – but the chip shop is one of my number ones. No matter how many French fries I eat in America, it will never satisfy what my local chippy will. So that&#8217;s always a big one. And then all the cliches, pints with friends in pubs &#8211; all the things you miss. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-any-favourites">Any favourites?</h3>



<p>Oh yes! The Five Star Fish Bar in Llandaff and Victoria are my go-tos.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-have-to-ask-thoughts-on-ryan-reynolds-and-rob-mcelhenney-s-wrexham-takeover">We have to ask, thoughts on Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham takeover?</h3>



<p>Amazing! I’m trying to persuade Rob to come to the Wrexham show. As a Cardiff guy, I get the North-South divides, but I’m thrilled the North’s having this renaissance. Rob and Ryan have backed their word, show up regularly, and that commitment means everything.</p>



<p><strong><em>Matthew Rhys will be Playing Burton between Sun 16 – Fri 28 Nov, click <a href="https://www.welshnationaltheatre.com/playing-burton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here </a>to check availability and book tickets</em></strong></p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



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<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/review-the-importance-of-being-earnest-at-the-noel-coward-theatre-london/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Review: ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ at Noël Coward Theatre, London</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture-things-to-do/best-new-theatre-shows/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Curtain up: The best new theatre shows to see this October</a></li>
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Hollywood’s Matthew Rhys on Playing Burton and his Welsh homecoming

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