Watch this stunning performance of “Starless and bible-black”

A clip of Michael Sheen’s performance in Under Milk Wood has been shared on YouTube by the National Theatre.

Michael Sheen’s performance was enthusiastically described as “nothing short of theatrically seminal” by What’s on Stage and “bewitching” and “full of humanity” in the acclaimed recent production.

Making the famous Starless and bible-black speech completely his own, Sheen captivates and inhabits the stage in this teaser.

Showstopper

Clearly, this piece wasn’t filmed when the Welshman took the unprecedented move of stepping out of character to address the audience after the matinee performance was constantly interrupted by phone calls, ringtones and numerous ‘pings’ of notifications.

Sheen addressed the audience and said: “I’m asking all of you now to turn your phones off.

“We haven’t waited this long to be in a theatre to listen to your phones. Turn them off. I’ll wait.”

A clearly frustrated Sheen was then met with bursts of applause and cheering from the auditorium.

Acknowledging the incident on Twitter in response to @UnderstudyJim’s blog, the actor posted: “I felt terrible for coming out of the play and breaking the illusion but it was happening so often I felt it had to be addressed as it was spoiling the experience for everyone.”

The full play is available to rent here https://www.ntathome.com/

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