Centenary celebrations reached their peak at the Gala Evening

14.11.2025, The Orangery

 

We were joined at The Orangery, Margam Country Park for exclusive entertainment from Welsh actor Michael Sheen, Jeff Wayne composer of the multi-award-winning musical masterpiece ‘The War of The Worlds and special guests, celebrating how Burton has inspired generations of performers, artists, musicians and poets.

The evening began with a drinks reception and canapes, before guests are whisked through to the performance space in Margam’s stunning Orangery.

Performances throughout the night included:

• Michael Sheen giving an exclusive performance of ‘A Christmas Story’ the short story penned by Burton himself, inspired by his literary hero Dylan Thomas.
• West Glamorgan Youth Theatre’s previously sold-out performance of ‘Scattershot of Rich’, telling stories of the relationships that shaped him into the globally-renowned performer
• An insightful talk from Burton’s granddaughter, Charlotte Frances Burton
• Poetry reading by the award-winning Nansi Rhys Adams, winner of the Richard Burton Award at the National Eisteddfod
• Music from internationally-renowned composer Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds album
• Q&A with Jeff Wayne, composer and contemporary of Richard Burton, discussing what it was like to work with the Voice of a Generation.
• Plus talks from the official Richard Burton Trails tour guide, Griff Harries, and more special guests.