'Starless and bible-black' Michael Sheen performs iconic Under Milk Wood speech | Now streaming

'Begin at the beginning.' Michael Sheen (Good Omens), Karl Johnson (Harry Potter) and Siân Phillips (Keeping Faith) feature in the acting company breathing new life into Dylan Thomas’ poetic masterpiece Under Milk Wood. Now streaming worldwide: www.ntathome.com/
A community is sleeping. If you listen closely, you can hear their dreams. As they awake to boiled eggs and the postman, the residents of a small Welsh village juggle old secrets and new realities.
Lyndsey Turner directs this National Theatre production.
--
Subscribe on KZbin: / nationaltheatre
Sign up to our monthly newsletter:
National Theatre TikTok: / nationaltheatre
National Theatre Twitter: / nationaltheatre
National Theatre Facebook: / nationaltheatre
National Theatre Instagram: / nationaltheatre
National Theatre Live Twitter: / ntlive
National Theatre Live Facebook: / ntlive
--
At the National Theatre in London, we make world-class theatre that is entertaining, challenging and inspiring. And we make it for everyone.
National Theatre Live broadcast the best of British theatre to cinemas in the UK and around the world.

[@NationalTheatre]

What are your favourite scenes from Under Milk Wood? We'll look at publishing the one you all love most. Let us know here in the comments.

[@RaE8270]

Ah! You cut it off before the 'time passes, listen, time passes, come closer now, only you can hear...' Please post the rest of the opening monologue, where can I see this?

[@CR-jq2dk]

Mr and Mrs Pugh

[@NationalTheatre]

@@RaE8270 You can rent the whole play on ntathome.com.

[@AnitaLife27]

Omg, thanks so much for making this streaming!!!

[@markmcknight6587]

And the shrill girls giggle!

[@ruthish11]

Definitely not overacted. Sheen grabs your attention and you're hooked. I want more!!

[@sharondunsford-endacotte6376]

Michael Sheen and Dylan Thomas is such a perfect combination. The words are incredible, but when they're coming with that delivery, it elevates them to a whole new level. I could honestly listen to this all day.

[@ianmartinandrews]

Exactly

[@AdaSoto]

It's so strange to see this done beautifully by a talented actor. I've only ever seen it performed by half panicked high school students struggling to remember their lines.

[@NationalTheatre]

Glad to share it from the stage with you :)

[@sigmapopsical272]

🤣 I laughed out loud at this comment, thank you! I'd like to see this play

[@chrisreed3022]

And Welsh ! To hear it in a welsh accent, the most sonorous of British accents. Glorious.

[@rhianwenj7597]

​@@chrisreed3022it has to be in a Welsh accent. Listen to Richard Burton, the hairs on the back of your neck will be raised and raised again. Dylan Thomas from Swansea, MS and RB both raised in Port Talbot so local-wish. But RB will always be my favourite. But then I guess RB could make anything sound great. (Not biased but I'm about half an hour away.) There is a version on YT by RBs nephew that is also good but I forget his name.

[@louzander]

Odd as it may sound, I'm a little jealous that you get to hear Thomas read, aloud, that often, even if read shakily. I'm from the US and, aside from Do Not Go Gentle, one never hears much Thomas read aloud here. And Thomas is one of those poets who MUST be read aloud; he, like G. M. Hopkins, knew the savor of words, and put them together so deliciously that the sound of his lines means as much to me as the sense. I carry a copy of All That I Owe the Fellows of the Grave with me in my wallet for when I need a little comfort.

[@ronyagpd]

This is Thomas brought to life. Stunning. Sheen's animated and brilliantly paced delivery makes me want to see the whole thing. I read it at home in Wales and once saw a production at the Salisbury Playhouse back in the early 80s. This is real.Thank you.

[@NationalTheatre]

Thanks for watching! You can rent the whole play on ntathome.com if you'd like to.

[@yetidodger6650]

This clip made me rent the whole play, I wasn't disappointed. Absolutely wonderful, enchanting, bittersweet and melancholy.

[@NationalTheatre]

Really glad to hear you enjoyed watching it :)

[@12b_engineer]

@@NationalTheatre it did the same. It was spectacular. I don't normally like plays but this ine was amazing

[@MC-342]

To me , this is the measure of a great actor. On stage, in real time. Fantastic 👍

[@samosullivan1744]

Sheen is a truly magical actor!

[@jonhodder363]

I'm so very certain that Dylan would have loved to hear his work so beautifully rendered. Wonderful work.

[@ActuallyNotMyName]

Just watched this tonight. I cried my way through it. My dad died of cancer last year. I also lost my gran to alzheimer's disease 10 years ago and saw my mother go through this kind of pain. Michael Sheen and Karl Johnson did a brilliant job. Also I work in a hospital as a domestic and I saw my sister go through the stress of being a healthcare worker in a care home, so the way this play was set hit particularly hard in that way too. Absolutely brilliant.

[@ActuallyNotMyName]

I'd like to add that the whole cast were excellent! I also noticed how the whole team worked out ways to make distancing work and feel natural. Honestly, this play is genius on every level, not just because of the words of Dylan Thomas, although I am going to make sure the sun wipes their shoes before they enter my home.

[@NationalTheatre]

So sorry to hear of your loss and touched to know how this play has affected you. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.

[@ActuallyNotMyName]

@@NationalTheatre I meant to just say how great the play is, but half my life story came out instead ha. Sorry for the rant. Thank you so much for your kind words! Really appreciate you taking the time. ❤

[@WoodlandAsh]

So uniquely Welsh & enchanting. It feels so personal. I remember delivering the same monologue when I was 17 (many years ago) and gave it a more somber spin, not animated like this. But it works so well. Magical.

[@duncanmacdonald9320]

This is truly fantastic. Brings it to life like no one else can. Genius.

[@skinner219]

Such a great actor. I really want him to be the next Doctor.

[@5mattcolour]

He’s too talented for that.

[@maestroclassico5801]

@@5mattcolour You need to see the video NT has of the production that TWO of the recent Doctors, Christopher Eccleston and Jodie Whittaker did together (nah.... you're right Michael is in a league by himself) and of course, Tennant was a pretty damn good Hamlet.

[@thatmanrunning]

@@maestroclassico5801 Whcih production is that? I know they've got one with Eccleston and Whittaker.

[@ej3016]

@@5mattcolour why - David Tennant was The Doctor - why couldn’t Michael - after Good Omens and their online performances together during lockdown - they’ve set the stage for great cross references for Whovians to delight in - I come back to Doctor Who for Michael Sheen

[@thatmanrunning]

I could definately see him doing either a more burnt out version of ten or a slightly updated version of four.

[@chrismoore7606]

Sometimes I think the old actors are held in such reverance it’s taken as sacrilege if you dare say anything other than glowing praise for their performances. I have to say though, that I think Michael Sheen absolutely blows Burton out of the water. The rhythm of the delivery, the wonderful accent, which Burton didn’t do, are perfect. He is in a class of his own.

[@charliefarlie2884]

It's all subjective in the long run. Sheen watches himself act, Burton doesn't

[@marzettik]

Michael Sheen is so wonderful! Makes me swoon. Always a pleasure to watch no matter what he does. ❤

[@eddiecomerford8307]

I saw this in July and I can’t recommend it highly enough, there’s an option to rent it, you don’t need a subscription. But please just do it, it’s so good.

[@janeknight3597]

Oh thank goodness I can rent it. Please can it go to cinema. What a night out!!!

[@NationalTheatre]

Thanks so much for your recommendation, Eddie. Means a lot!

[@FBWL-u1r]

@@NationalTheatre Can people who live outside of the UK rent these plays as well?

[@NationalTheatre]

@@FBWL-u1r Yes! National Theatre at Home is available all around the world.

[@johnfox1823]

How do you rent it? I could only see the subscription option.

[@stephenreaway]

saw this live it’s fantastic!! So happy I can watch it again online now 🤩

[@NationalTheatre]

Enjoy rewatching! Hope you notice new things.

[@kelfae]

Ooof, like a punch to the gut, it took my breath away.

[@vargo0515]

Very underrated Actor😉❤ Great performance!

[@camp14dogg]

Writing poetry and performing poetry are two very different things. Sometimes, they come together.

[@thisisme2476]

What I would give to be able to see his process. How he memorizes and constructs this scene.

[@NationalTheatre]

Astonishing work, isn't it

[@salbenrosli707]

Seriously I love this man. His acting is just chef’s kiss. I find a solace and healing watching his performances

[@mariedillon1403]

Wish I could see it all. Reminds me of the opening of Our Town...

[@NationalTheatre]

You can! It's streaming worldwide on ntathome.com - you rent the play or subscribe.

[@mepratt8465]

Wow - that's a great comparison. In the late 1960's, my high school (in Oakland, California) performed "Our Town" - I think I went and saw it twice!

[@johnofarrell812]

How beautiful. The great Welsh poet, at his very best, performed by such a good actor. Years ago, whilst on a visit in New York, I found myself in a bar, where the artist had his last night, before death. Oh my, how I wish soneone he knew that night, could have helped him. A loss to all the worlds literature and poetry that is right up there with all who went before him.

[@DoubleOld7]

Tht man could read the New York City phone directory and I would be riveted!!!

[@antonellamR2D2]

He bring me to that town, in the sunset, amazing

[@angharadswansea9343]

This is so beautiful it brings tears to my eyes.

[@user-nx6ji9tk8i]

Brave man to step into Richard Burton,s legacy and carry it off!

[@cielodinverno5]

Great actor

[@NationalTheatre]

We love him :)

[@AnthonyPoetica]

Michael Sheen is so underrated as an Actor, he is like a Chameleon and totally inhabits whatever character role he is performing. I would love to see him take on the role of Dylan Thomas in the drama "A Poet IN New York" which Tom Hollander did so beautifully and convincingly. I think Sheen could / would bring that special 'Welshness' that only a Welsh person can understand to such a role. Much in the same way that Richard Burton was so able to perfectly become those poems of Dylan Thomas that he used to orate.

[@donnafreeman720]

Just beautiful. I can’t stop watching. I’m learning this bit for the grandkids.

[@Boudleaux]

Amazing! Thank you so sharing.

[@NationalTheatre]

You're welcome!

[@peterdawson2645]

I've heard this speech so often. But Sheen makes it something else. He doesn't just speak it, he acts it.

[@MrLarry]

Outstanding

[@RosalindDight-qm1tz]

Under Milk Wood is my favourite. Impossible to choose.

[@swatinain6946]

Stunning, I'll hear it like this now in my mind when I read it. He's brilliant!

[@sickpit138]

Absolutely spellbinding ❤

[@Forkygolach1]

Mesmerising!

[@tarot_esoterica_with_erin]

Wonderful

[@tamayagarner1542]

oh how i wish we could stream the National Theatre performances in Canada :(

[@NationalTheatre]

You can! They're available all over the world, including Canada. ntathome.com

[@anupamaranawana-collie1439]

@@NationalTheatre oh really ? That's so excellent. I'd love to give my parents a gift of national theatre but they live in Canada. Good to know they could stream from there

[@dannyjarvis8093]

Time this right and play in another window Stan Tracey's musical version alongside and it's sheer magic!

[@dannyjarvis8093]

Wonderful !

[@GenWivern2]

Bravo!

[@deanwaddington2799]

Just a word.....wow.

[@carolclewlow4009]

Crikey... talk about breathing new life... can't wait to download this

[@samblackcrow]

A magnificant play showcased by a magnificantly talented actor. Ohhh, Martin, Dylan Thomas is appauding you from on high.

[@taraxacum]

Michael Sheen :-)

[@carriecole4072]

I watched this clip and I just wanted more. He is magnetic

[@mrmcku]

Loved it!

[@NationalTheatre]

Thanks for watching Martin!

[@barryedwards4803]

I was bought up on Burton but this is closer to Thomas's reading.

[@marialette1]

I had Under Milkwood on tape by Richard Burton; compared to this, it was just one drone. Sheen can blow life into a torn hessian sack. He's a force of nature.

[@charliefarlie2884]

Or he could be said to be over acting

[@mesnilman2327]

I'd love to see the Eli Jenkins' prayer scene. Please!

[@riverdonoghue9992]

Excellent

[@daviddavies7924]

Brilliant actor and fellow WELSH MAN

[@ianryan5727]

Wow!

[@Vesnicie]

The whole of Llaregub is declared mad, and yet I come here to regain some semblance of sanity.

[@loymichelleneely7525]

Flawlessly preformed bravo 👏

[@williamquirke8634]

It was the BBC version, broadcast in 1954, when at the age of 7, I fell in love with Thomas' work

[@RonRicho]

Dylan Thomas. GENIUS!!

[@maisondelahaye5334]

Fabulous

[@marydickinson884]

Thank you so much for this beautiful video.Can we access the play online. I can't get to London and would love to watch more.

[@NationalTheatre]

Yes, you can rent the play on ntathome.com.

[@99shoebox]

Apart from a Richard Burton, this is the most beautiful rendition of this scene in Under Milk Wood. A wonderful and creative portrayal. I never get tired of it.

[@black__bread]

Tried to rent or watch this or whatever on the National Theatres website. Got nowhere. Messaged them on twitter asking for help. Nothing. Ah well, there's this excerpt at least (which is utterly glorious).

[@Columbusmor]

Majestic!

[@pauljordan8373]

Probably better than Burton. un by God that's saying something! Burton was bloody briliant, but always a wee bit conscious of being Burton. This is selfless brilliance.

[@stayinalive9434]

Good call on Burton. I have thought the same but couldnt put it into words.

[@jono12121201]

I’m from Fishguard and have an interest in performing arts to say the least. Undermilk wood involves family and friends from donkeys years ago..

[@BlackOfJuly]

Will there be a DVD? Please say yes...

[@NationalTheatre]

No DVD, but we're streaming the play worldwide on National Theatre at Home, and you can watch that on your TV or computer.

[@danlaxer514]

Hello from Canada. Does this version exist in a video format that I can watch in full?

[@bengarrionphoenix4207]

Dwi'n crio!! Bendigedig iawn brawd xxxx

[@Buenomars]

Interviewer: Mr. Sheen, what is your favourite anime? Michael Sheen: Ahem, 0:20

[@HShango]

I've not seen Michael Sheen work on a Hollywood movie (projects) for years now, I guess theatre has got him busy now

[@SaplingTarot]

He's been in quite a few series too, very good in Prodigal Son and Good Omens.

[@harshmir3124]

Also Masters of sex(he was producer and actor on that show for 4 years 2013-2016, so not much time for movies. He also did some supporting roles in movies during that time). I forgot to add his amazing performance in Quiz(2020)

[@judyloukides]

He was Blair Mudfly in "Dolittle" (2020) and The Bat in "Slaughterhouse Rulez" (2018). Check out his IMDb page. Good Omens 2 starts filming next month. It should be out in early 2023. He did 2 seasons of Staged with David Tennant--both very well done and funny, but not Hollywood. He claimed he was backing off of "proper work" to focus more on family and the charities he's involved with. But he's had a lot of acting projects--just not big productions.

[@eggchipsnbeans]

It's very difficult to hear another voice after so many years of listening to Burton. I don't know if I liked what Sheen did but good for him for having the imagination to try something different

[@rachelbaker7229]

Where can I watch this in Australia?

[@NationalTheatre]

You can rent it or subscribe for more unmissable theatre on ntathome.com in Australia - and anywhere else in the world.

[@thespianrico]

I want NT@Home on my TV but I'm not in the UK.

[@Terry1950Men]

VPN

[@NationalTheatre]

The platform, and the app for TVs, is available worldwide. Here's how: www.ntathome.com/help/articles/how-do-i-watch-on-my-smart-tv

[@taniaearle4457]

@@NationalTheatre 😊 in Australia

[@NationalTheatre]

@@taniaearle4457 Yes! You can watch anywhere in the world :)

[@BSP20101]

How fortunate I ended up here after finding out this guy had been Kate Beckinsale’s boyfriend.

[@Nolle69_]

This feels like a Tarantino movie for some reason

[@MCO18]

I never knew Tony Blair was such a talented actor

[@eifionwynwilliams-iffy1288]

"You can hear the dew falling"....Duw, ardderchog ia pawb?

[@LysanderLH]

Where can I watch the rest of this?

[@NationalTheatre]

Right here: www.ntathome.com/products/under-milk-wood

[@LysanderLH]

@@NationalTheatre thank you very much. Have you seen it ?

[@NationalTheatre]

@@LysanderLH Yes! Loved it

[@That_FortniteKid]

interhigh?

[@rightonrightonrighton]

Fucking sick m8

[@caedmonherodofficial]

Here because of king crimson anyone?

[@bencooper1371]

Richard Burton.

[@Lynnefromlyn]

As good as Richard Burton any day.

[@karrie-bowen]

Better.

[@charliefarlie2884]

​@@karrie-bowenDifferent. It's not a competition

[@colin477]

This is neat and all but if he isn’t cast in the next Lord of the Rings movies imma b mad..

[@killforkylie]

More please! That's excellent.

[@richarddaniel6896]

Typical drunken ramblings in Swansea. Go home or I'll tell your Mam

[@JG-uu1oj]

I'm actually not impressed - the hyper quality the constant pointing and indicating to other area's his inability to stand still..

[@billholt2803]

I recommend you try again and bear in mind it’s a monologue trying to explain what will happen when every one in this exceptionally ordinary dozy Welsh Village wakes up - e .g. Mrs O-P instructing her husband to tell the sun to wipe its feet before it crosses her threshold. The monologue sets the seen and the Narrators job is to capture the audiences attention - clearly not an easy task hence actors asleep half reading a paper or walking out the room just like the radio audience for whom it was commissioned by the BBC. I am not alone in thinking that Sheen is the best ahead of Burton and Hopkins

[@46metube]

Burton's rendition has stained my imagination from the beginning. It is a damn good stain too. A little sour and bitter - if you ask me, but still inescapable. Anything that veer's away from that original presentation is gonna get a terrible comparison thrown at it. Personally this isn't for me. In that, it doesn't represent the night under which 'all the people of the lulled and dumbfound town are sleeping now.' (sorry - had to Chuck that in!) Sheen's version doesn't capture that silence. It's jagged and broken pace is too anxious. Almost an attempt to shatter the original Burton rendition in a 'do anything but' attempt to break that spell. Maybe a sung version in some way could challenge it? But not this.

[@jordanhenshaw]

Wtf is he on about? What does he want? It’s so bad. Long-drawn out, overly wordy, flowery monologues need to be banned.

[@jordanhenshaw]

Monologues either need to be an extremely cathartic moment for the character and in those cases they absolutely cannot be flowery or wordy, or they must have an extremely clear intention and obstacle (preferably both criteria are met).

[@MrDavey2010]

Sheen has lost his sheen. Such a shame as he was a terrific actor when he led the RSC.

[@maggiemccauslin1084]

what?? lmaooo

[@Slarti]

Overacting much?

[@harshmir3124]

It's a lyrical play which he has to narrate while everybody in cast acts out different parts of the story. It wasn't meant for acting, just for listening. So it may seem rushed at first but as the play goes on you become accustomed to the pace and it's really good then.

[@cew9837]

Just listrn to Richard Burton then....

[@charliefarlie2884]

Overacts in everything

[@TheAlmightyAss]

Sheen seems to be quite a different actor than Burton, and I like both interpretations of the work. I wonder what Thomas would have made have this; the rhythms are so much different.

[@TheIgnatz84]

It's so compelling how he appears to be barely holding it together at the start and then, as he gains momentum, the words appear to carry him along, like the poem is physically keeping him upright. Poetry as an act of will that also acts upon the poet.

[@jackdryden748]

Fantastic

[@victoriavelvet3689]

I would watch anything this man acts in, he is amazing!

[@NationalTheatre]

A brilliant actor!

[@stephenreaway]

same!

[@tashaclaire7258]

Ditto!

[@ghooiketlam8879]

Michael Sheen is wonderful to watch and listen to - as he always brings a brimful of tears to my eyes. The words come alive because of his moment-upon-moment discovery of the thing breathing-and-speaking, and shares with us the spontaneous delight and joy of that discovery.

[@riverdonoghue9992]

Every time I see sheen perform im reminded of a great painter creating something very beautiful and unique with every brush stroke. One of the great actors of our time. He captures the essence of Dylan Thomas brilliantly.

[@NationalTheatre]

Thank you for your lovely comment! You can watch the whole play on ntathome.com if you like :)

[@jenniferlawrence6091]

This is incredible! So vivid, alive and immediate - just stunning. What a genius.....I was going to say "performance" but it's an incarnation of the poet's voice. Quite wonderful.

[@hidingfromsomeone]

This just hits different in that magnificent Welsh accent.

[@marianpaulamangado9639]

How magnificent this clip is. You can feel how this monologue touches every heart who can hear it. I someday wish to see this on the real stage, and see the live emotions that every actor has at that moment. This is what I call impactful. I love it, and Michael Sheen brings the emotion perfectly ❤️💗💓💖💝