Michael Sheen ‘shouldn’t have had to’ save the Welsh National Theatre, says Plaid Cymru

Brava, Michael Sheen! As any ful kno (ie. not the miserable and incompetent Rachel Reeves or her fellow travellers in the Single Transferable Party) that investing in people (health, education, culture) has a large positive multipliers. A government worthy of its name would dump this neo-liberal capitalist model as it doesn't work for the vast majority of people. Only the 1 - 10%, and most of them feel guilty about the deprivation they see around them. Not only is this model ineffectual and inefficient, it is immoral to treat people with such contempt! Allowing them to be cold, hungry and/or homeless... Completely unacceptable. Reform would only supercharge it. For Cymru to prosper, after independence (or before if possible!) we must adopt a Keynesian approach. Create money to meet need, increase incomes across the board, revamp our tax system to control inflation (playing with interest rates cannot do that and only undermines families and small businesses.). This is the new (old) model for us. Then our theatres can thrive, our cultural sector especially can employ thousands. We must focus on well-being rather than the bottom line... Time for a new approach. Cymru has had enough of this unnecessary nonsense. Our intelligence and the good sense of the people of our country is being insulted by the colonial status 'the UK' has granted us. There is a positive future for Cymru - if we make this change. Vote for a real change, not Starmer-style change. Out with the unionist cabal in 2026! Ymlaen Cymru!

This could be Mr Sheen's next step in his and the country's destiny...

Does Michael Sheen have to make the news every day!

Old-style neo-liberal thinking, Llyn... 1920s, 1880s, take your pick. And there ain't enough 'private philanthropy' around to properly fund the health, education and social care budgets either! Nor many of the other aspects of our society being left to rot under the ideological blindness of Labour-Tory-Reform regime. Our people, our communities, our small businesses need a better deal. Rhun ap Iowerth and Plaid are on the right track to provide it.

Not only should he not have been the one to save it, but the government doesn’t even seem that grateful for it. In fact, sometimes it almost feels like they snub him—after all the effort, energy, and money he’s poured into his country! But this goes beyond just material help; Sheen is genuinely in love with his country. He’s always trying to promote and protect the culture and beauty of Wales in every way. He could’ve stayed and lived the good life in Hollywood, but instead, he chose to return to his homeland, he’s raising his family there and doing everything he can to make it a better place. And yet, who’s on the official list of Wales’ national treasures instead of him? People who’ve changed nationality and probably haven’t even set foot there in years! Honestly!

Labour have made a choice to defund the arts and culture of Wales - it does not matter to them. Cultural vandalism under the cloak of “efficiency savings.” Shame on Labour. Well done Michael Sheen, but I agree it shouldn’t need the intervention of a good citizen with the means to save it; it’s the responsibility of Government.

Although the circumstances are disheartening for why Michael Sheen has done this, it is surly a good thing that private money is supporting the arts in Wales? I find it rather self defeating to say in the position we find ourselves, that instead of private funds the finite public funds for the arts should be used to fund the Theatre. All that will mean is less or no money for other arts projects or public sector projects which have no option of private funding.

Public money should return but in the meantime there's an opportunity to create something new and fresh while it's not beholden to risk adverse beancounters. It could both aim to speak to every child in Wales, and to every human on the planet.