Get ready to be blown away—Matthew Rhys’s portrayal of Richard Burton in Playing Burton is nothing short of electrifying. Two decades after his last British stage appearance, Rhys returns with a performance that’s as bold as it is intimate, breathing new life into the story of the iconic Welsh actor who inspired him. But here’s where it gets fascinating: Rhys doesn’t just play Burton—he becomes him, capturing the contradictions of a man who both reveled in and wrestled with his extraordinary talent. It’s a masterclass in nuance, blending assurance with impulsiveness, casual charm with commanding presence.
You might think a one-man show could only go so far, especially one like Mark Jenkins’s monologue, which has been touring globally since its 1993 Edinburgh Fringe debut. And while Rhys has dazzled in TV roles—The Americans, Perry Mason, and his chilling turn in Netflix’s The Beast in You—his stage absence since 2012’s Look Back in Anger might raise eyebrows. Add to that, this production is a brief fundraiser for Michael Sheen’s Welsh National Theatre, leaving room for skepticism. But here’s the kicker: this isn’t just a charity event—it’s a theatrical triumph.
From the moment Rhys strides onstage in a suit-no-tie ensemble, interrupting a 1984 news report of Burton’s death at 58, he owns the room. “I will not go gentle into that good night,” he declares, twisting Dylan Thomas’s words to reclaim his own narrative. It’s a moment that sets the tone for a performance that’s equal parts playful and profound. And this is the part most people miss: Rhys doesn’t just mimic Burton—he channels his spirit, from the swaggering confidence to the introspective vulnerability.
With a vodka in hand and a knowing glance at the audience, Rhys’s Burton navigates the complexities of his life—the rise from a Welsh mining family to Hollywood stardom, the tumultuous marriages to Elizabeth Taylor, and the relentless self-questioning. But here’s where it gets controversial: was Burton’s womanizing a product of luck, privilege, or something darker? Rhys doesn’t shy away from the question, delivering lines like, “Why do I do it? Because I’m a lucky bugger,” with a mix of charm and unease that invites us to judge—or empathize.
While Rhys’s unamplified voice may lack Burton’s signature rumble, his portrayal of the actor’s contradictions is spot-on. He shares personal parallels, like growing up with Welsh as his first language, and explores Burton’s transformation under the mentorship of Philip Burton, the teacher whose name he adopted. But is talent enough to justify a life of excess and heartbreak? That’s the question Rhys leaves lingering in the air.
For those who caught the BBC’s Wild Genius documentary, the facts are familiar: the stage triumphs, the Hollywood scandals, the Taylor affair. But what makes Playing Burton so compelling is its emotional depth. Rhys doesn’t just recount Burton’s life—he inhabits it, turning a tribute into a one-man Hamlet. To be Richard Burton or not to be? That’s the question—and Rhys’s answer is nothing short of stunning.
★★★★★
90 minutes of pure theatrical magic. Touring until November 24. Visit welshnationaltheatre.com for tickets.
Now, here’s the real question: Can a flawed genius like Burton still be celebrated in today’s world? Or do his flaws overshadow his legacy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below—this is one debate you won’t want to miss!