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Matthew Rhys says playing Richard Burton 'terrifying'

Eleri GriffithsBBC Wales
Myles Morillo Black and white image of Matthew Rhys in rehearsals as Burton. He is wearing a white shirt, black suit and is holding a book. He is facing forward, away from the camera.Myles Morillo
Matthew Rhys will play Richard Burton in a one-man show with the Welsh National Theatre later this month

Emmy Award-winning Matthew Rhys says it was "pretty terrifying" stepping onto a stage for the first time in 16 years to play Welsh icon Richard Burton.

Rhys, who grew up in Cardiff and now lives in New York, said he was getting ready to return home to perform in a one-man play celebrating Burton's centenary, raising funds for the Welsh National Theatre.

The actor, who plays Nile Jarvis in Netflix's The Beast in Me, said in his first trial live show he thought he was going to "pass out" due to the nerves.

"I could hear the drumbeat of my heart in my head," he told Lucy Owen on BBC Radio Wales.

Rhys said the play Playing Burton shows the famous Welsh actor reflecting on his "incredible life" and his "very fast rise to superstardom" in a short time.

It explores the "light and dark" sides of Burton's world - his love affair with Elizabeth Taylor, his struggle with alcoholism, and his "very complex relationship" with fame and identity, he added.

Getty Images A black and white photo of Julie Andrews playing Queen Guinevere and Richard Burton playing King Arthur in the Broadway hit musical, Camelot in New York in 1960. Getty Images
In 1960, Richard Burton from Pontrhydyfen in Neath Port Talbot starred with Julie Andrews in the Broadway show Camelot

Rhys shared that he first saw the play as a student in London 30 years ago and has dreamed of portraying Burton ever since.

About five years ago, he performed the role in an Audible radio play for Amazon, but the desire to bring Burton to the stage never left him.

Previously, Burton, Rhys said, was the very reason he became an actor, describing him as someone who "blazed the trail for us all".

He added Burton "means an awful lot to me", especially throughout his teenage years.

To Rhys, Burton was what "the staunchest Welshman you could ever wish for", yet possessed an almost "un-Welsh confidence" - a belief that he could "absolutely conquer each and every world".

"He didn't just walk the path; he blazed it," Rhys said.

"To me, he was - and still is - a kind of pillar and beacon who showed us that it's allowed: we can do this, we're allowed to take our place."

Getty Images A head and shoulders shot of Michael Sheen. He is stood outside and it is dark. He has short grey, curly hair and a grey beard and moustache. He has a black jacket, blue jumper and green scarf on.Getty Images
Hollywood actor Michael Sheen invited Matthew Rhys to collaborate with the Welsh National Theatre

The opportunity to finally bring Burton to life on stage came when Michael Sheen took over the Welsh National Theatre last year and invited Rhys to collaborate.

He said: "I have to admit, there's never been an alignment of planets stronger than this one."

Due to a busy schedule, Rhys told Sheen he could not commit to a full cast production, but he could take on a one-man show.

And with that, the long-held dream took shape.

Myles Morillo Matthew Rhys lying on the floor next to a vintaged brown wood table. He is wearing a black suit with a white shirt. His left leg is laying flat, while his right leg is upright in a 90 degrees position. He has a serious facial expression. Myles Morillo
Rhys has been rehearsing in New York ahead of his first performance in Mwldan, Cardigan

Rhys is returning to Wales for a national tour beginning on 17 November in Mwldan, Cardigan and finishing in Pontrhydyfen, Richard Burton's birthplace, where Burton's family will be in attendance.

He admitted to feeling "a strange sense of apprehension" about performing in front of a home audience, which he said brings "a unique set of nerves".

Reflecting on his first live practice performance, Rhys described it as "terrifying".

"I spent the first 20 minutes thinking I don't know what the next line is," he recalled.

Rhys also said performing in front of Burton's daughter, Kate, was "both daunting and terrifying".

He added: "I'm sure it was difficult for her to watch this interpretation of her father, in a time in history that was so vivid to her."

Despite this, Rhys said, "she was incredibly gracious and loving".

Rhys said he hopes the production will "rekindle" Welsh theatre and honour Burton's legacy across Wales.

He added he was "very glad" the story may now reach a younger audience unfamiliar with Burton's influence.

Rhys also explained how he and Sheen were determined to tour widely, adding: "If we're to have a true Welsh National Theatre, it has to reach every corner of Wales, offer affordable tickets, and inspire people to experience live theatre."