Star Sheen’s epic ‘Passion’ puts town in the spotlight

A FILM version of actor Michael Sheen’s epic take on the Easter story held its premiere in the actor’s home town, Port Talbot, last night.

The star arrived on the red carpet at a cinema along with US movie star girlfriend Rachel McAdams to watch the first screening of The Gospel Of Us.

But despite having made a name for himself in Tinsel Town, Sheen, who arrived in a taxi from a local cab firm, has not forgotten his roots.

The Gospel Of Us is the film version of the ambitious and epic three-day play The Passion, which is a modern take on the crucifixion of Christ.

Featuring a cast of more than 1,000 and an audience of 15,000, the play turned out to be an unlikely hit and grabbed attention across the globe.

So Sheen said it was fitting for the film version to be shown on Easter Sunday in the Welsh steel town that helped forge his success as an actor.

He said: “It’s my home. It’s what shaped me and made me who I am. It’s what I created and made my dreams. The people here have been so supportive over my life and helped me do everything that I’ve done. I’ve always felt coming back is like re-charging my batteries.

“There’s so much potential here. Everything I’ve given back to the town I’ve had it first in spades.

But we had no idea how big The Passion was going to be. It was on epic scale, we had no idea how many people would turn up.”