Just as it’s true that people with the most irritating ring tones are always the slowest to answer their smart phones, it’s also true I often create one article from two separate sources.
Thumbing through a back copy of a magazine in my dentist’s waiting room, I came upon a fascinating article titled “Why I Weep For Wales” by Roger Lewis, a well-respected author and literary critic.
It wasn’t an easy read, as Roger forensically dissected the many issues with modern Wales.
Born in Bedwas, he’s as entitled to his opinions as any of us – and can articulate them far better than I could.
Although somewhat depressing, I found it thought-provoking and had to agree with many of his comments about my country. You’d have had to been living in a cave for the last 25 years not to.
Then, blow me down! The following day I read an online newspaper interview with actor Michael Sheen, which was intended to promote his three-part series about the Prince Andrew/Emily Maitlis interview.
However, that was just one subject discussed, not all of them related to his acting.
Michael obviously talked about various aspects of his long career, but also shared his views on modern Wales,
While Roger Lewis’s article was excellent, Michael’s comments were more optimistic.
In 2019, Michael moved back to his hometown of Port Talbot where he’s involved himself in community matters while still maintaining his career.
His TV series “Staged” with David Tennant cheered us up during Covid; he also starred with David in the TV series “Good Omens”; and this year he played Nye Bevan on stage to great acclaim.
While fiercely proud of being Welsh, he appears ambivalent regarding Independence, perhaps aware that whatever he says might alienate those with an opposite view.
If you haven’t seen it, seek out the TV documentary “The Assembly”, in which he’s interviewed by a group of young neurodiverse people. No subject was ‘off the table’.
The true measure of this man’s modesty shines through when he’s asked the last question “What’s your name, again?”.
Without missing a beat, he replies “Michael”.