Playing Burton

Mon Nov 24 2025 at 07:00 pm to 09:00 pm UTC+00:00

Swansea Grand Theatre, Singleton Street,, SA1 3QJ Swansea, United Kingdom | Swansea

Swansea Grand Theatre
Publisher/HostSwansea Grand Theatre
Playing Burton
Advertisement
One of Wales' most renowned actors, Emmy Award-winner Matthew Rhys, returns to the Welsh stage for the first time in 22 years in Playing Burton, an acclaimed one-man play about international star Richard Burton.
Written by Mark Jenkins and directed by Tony Award-winner Bartlett Sher, Playing Burton offers an intimate and penetrating portrait of Richard Burton, the boy from South Wales who became one of the greatest performers of his generation. The play captures the sweep of his extraordinary life, from a childhood in an impoverished mining community of the South Wales Valleys to the dazzling heights of Broadway and Hollywood.
With wit, candour and raw honesty, Playing Burton reflects on the highs and lows of Burton's remarkable journey. His passionate and tempestuous love affair with Elizabeth Taylor, his troubled relationship with alcohol, and his struggle to balance fame, ambition and identity are explored in a voice that feels as if the actor himself were back on stage. It is a powerful, soulful piece of theatre that celebrates not only Burton's genius but also the complexity of the man behind the legend.
Rhys has spoken often about Burton's profound influence on him: "The reason I wanted to act was because of Richard Burton. Since first seeing his incredible performance in Look Back in Anger to still listening to his audio of Hamlet and Under Milk Wood. He blazed the trail for us all and showed us it was possible."
Presented during the Richard Burton centenary year, this production stands as a fitting tribute to one of Wales' greatest cultural figures.
Playing Burton is presented as a fundraising event for Welsh National Theatre to support the company's inaugural season in 2026.
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Swansea Grand Theatre, Singleton Street,, SA1 3QJ Swansea, United Kingdom, Swansea, United Kingdom

Tickets

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in Swansea

Swansea Job Fair - Swansea Career Fair
Mon, 24 Nov at 11:00 am Swansea Job Fair - Swansea Career Fair

Swansea

Co Grown Up Paint Along - Peacock
Tue, 25 Nov at 07:00 pm Co Grown Up Paint Along - Peacock

Founders & Co, 24 Wind St, Swansea SA1 1DY, UK

Brett Tippie \u2013 The Right Line
Tue, 25 Nov at 07:30 pm Brett Tippie – The Right Line

Herbert Street, SA8 4ED Pontardawe, United Kingdom

The Nutcracker
Wed, 26 Nov at 07:00 pm The Nutcracker

Swansea Grand Theatre, Singleton Street,, SA1 3QJ Swansea, United Kingdom

Grown Up Paint Along - Northern Lights
Wed, 26 Nov at 07:00 pm Grown Up Paint Along - Northern Lights

Founders & Co, 24 Wind St, Swansea SA1 1DY, UK

Maggie's Christmas Extravaganza
Wed, 26 Nov at 07:30 pm Maggie's Christmas Extravaganza

Swansea Building Society Arena

Swansea is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Swansea Events