MICHAEL SHEEN, PORT TALBOT AND THE NATIONAL THEATRE WALES

Early day motion 1749, tabled 26 April 2011 by Hywel Francis (Labour). Signed by 46 members.

That this House congratulates Michael Sheen, his co-director Bill Mitchell of Wildworks, the writer Owen Sheers and the people of Port Talbot in the constituency of Aberavon on the spectacular success of the open-air performance of The Passion; recognises that the play was inspired by the pride Michael Sheen has always revealed in his local community; endorses the faith shown by Arts Council Wales in creating National Theatre Wales; acknowledges that his play has drawn on the lives of the people of Port Talbot and on their remarkable talents; welcomes the renewed sense of pride in the town's unique industrial and cultural history; and notes that the positive image of the community conveyed across the world signals a re-awakening of self-confidence in the future of the town.

Signatures by party: Labour 35, Liberal Democrat 5, Conservative 3, Plaid Cymru 3.