The Rose Theatre and Welsh National Theatre's co‑production of Thornton Niven Wilder's Our Town, featuring critically acclaimed actor, Michael Sheen (Twilight), is running at the Rose until 28 March.

The production, which has been directed by Francessca Goodridge, began at the Rose, a big moment for the independent theatre, and will move on after 28 March. 

Our Town follows the lives of 11 ordinary people living, working, laughing, raising their children, and growing old in the quiet rural town of Grover's Corner in New Hampshire US. However, this co-production, which has a full Welsh cast and directing team, tells the story through a Welsh lens.

Speaking about why she reimagined Our Town in Wales, Director Goodridge said: "When I think of Our Town, I think of Wales, and I think of home.

"That's the joy of Wilder's text - it allows us to do that, to connect this wonderful human story to our own stories, our own experiences."

She added: "Just as the Stage Manager moves effortlessly between Grover's Corners in 1901 and the UK in 2026, the play itself exists between two distinct yet now deeply connected places: South Wales and New Hampshire."

Having watched the official trailer for the production, I immediately got myself and my friend a ticket and when my friend asked me what the play is about, I told her 'think Eastenders, but in Wales, but in the early 1900's'- and it certainly did remind me of Eastenders slightly with its small community vibe, but sans villains, sans over-the-top drama, and sans utter devastation.

Starting at 7.30pm last night (Wednesday, 4 March) for its press viewing, the Rose was packed with theatre goers eager to see the show as well as a couple of celebs, including Celeb's Go Dating's Tom Read Wilson and the Doctor himself and friend of Sheen, David Tennant. 

The cast consisted of Stage Manager (Michael Sheen), Mrs. Webb (Nia Roberts, Mr. Webb (Rhodri Meilir), Emily Webb (Ysemin Ozdemir), Wally Webb (Aisha-May Hunte), Mrs Gibbs (Sian Reese-Williams), Dr.Gibbs (Matthew REvannion), Rebecca Killick (Rebecca Gibbs), George Gibbs (Peter Devlin), Howie Newsome (Rithvik Andugula), Joe & Si Crowell (Alfie Lewellyn) Mrs Soames (Christina Modestou), Sam Craig (Kingdom Sibanda), Professor Willard & Joe Stoddard (Gareth Snook), Constable Warren (Jams Thomas), Simon Stimson (Rhys Warrington), and various ensemble members (Gareth Tempest and Kimberley Noble). 

And I must say that every member of the cast was nothing short of spectacular and could and should be on stage at the West End. 

Moreover, I loved how diverse the cast were, especially as one might imagine that a "lower middle-class", as Mr. Webb puts it, community in a rural town, particularly a Welsh one, would be predominately white.

I was particularly impressed by those who played children in the show, especially Killick, as I literally had to Google their ages afterward because I truly believed they were children.

Moreover, whilst he had a main role as Stage Manager, and, non-surprisingly, did an expert job of it, I love that Sheen did not overshadow the rest of the cast, given he is already critically acclaimed, and allowed the others to shine. 

The stage setting for this production is simple, perfect for a quiet rural town, with minimalistic props such as step ladders, chairs, and plants, being the transition between interchanging scenes through the actors' use of object manipulation and physical theatre. 

The sound and lighting were also marvelous and fitting to each scene. 

The play begins with Sheen as Stage Manager preparing the stage and introducing the audience to the play, listing the directing and production teams - a marvelous use of meta. 

Following this, we are introduced to most of the main characters and quickly realise that the Webb and Gibbs families are central to the plot. 

As with the stage setting, the costumes are also simplistic, but incredibly realistic to that of a rural town in the early 1900s - a wonderful mimicry of everyday life at the time and a testament to the play's focus on the minutiae of small-town life. 

The first half of the play, which consists of two Acts, 'Daily Life' (first Act), and 'Love and Marriage' (second Act) is rather long (Just short of 90 minutes) and while I was worried this may be too long, it certainly was not as I and the rest of the audience remained engaged throughout despite the plot's simplicity. 

Throughout the first two acts, there are frequent scenes which we can all relate to - from local gossip among the women, to the raising of children, to awkward mother-daughter chats about love, to young love - another testament to ordinary life. 

And as a hopeless romantic, I loved the romance between George and Emily, which was at the heart (pardon the pun) of the story.

The chemistry between Devlin and Ozdemir was undeniable.

To end the first half, Sheen again adopts the use of meta, signaling that the audience can now take a 20-minute interval.

The second half, however, is much shorter, and perhaps more emotive as the audience is welcomed to the afterlife and questions of religion and life's values arise.

The play is a celebration of the transition of a rural town into modern industrial life and reminds the audience to focus on what we do have rather than what we don't have, to value the simple things in life.

The setting and lighting in this Act are perfect for splitting the set into the living and the afterlife using flashing lights, step ladders, and smoke effects.

The physicality of the play is exceptional, and I cannot applaud Jess Williams for coordinating the production's stage movement enough.

Even Read Wilson mimicked this, telling Nub News: "I thought the transitions were enigmatic and Rebecca Killick was an excellent example of this. The characters were beautifully eclectic."

I must also give a special shoutout to Ozdemir, whose soliloquies had me gripped throughout, and Reese-Williams, who was excellent at crying on point. 

Moreover, Trevannion did an excellent job of playing the awkward, nerdy father, Devlin played the perfect small-town boy, Modstou was hilariously funny, and the ensemble all had beautiful voices.

And of course, lest we not forget the wonderful Michael Sheen who narrated the story so beautifully. 

Our Town manages to convert 'the community' from an abstract idea into a reality - which is something that is at the heart of Kingston and why it is so amazing that the production began at the Rose.

It questions themes of religion, marriage, gender traditions, and humanity.

"There must be something eternal in every human being," says the Stage Master.

With a blend of sadder moments, laughter from the audience, and audience interaction, it really is a must-see show.

Speaking about the partnership between the Rose Theatre and Welsh National Theatre, Sheen said: "It gives me immense pleasure to be working alongside our Rose Theatre partners who have been amazing from day one.

"It is only through partnerships like this that Welsh National Theatre has been able to come into being."

This co-production of Our Town is running at the Rose Theatre until 28 March, and tickets can be bought here.