05 January 2008 - South Wales Evening Post

If you're going to take advice, then you might as well get it from the best.

So when members of the West Glamorgan Youth Theatre Company received a surprise visitor on New Year's Eve, no-one was complaining - even if the visit came out of the blue.

When theatre company old boy Michael Sheen walked into rehearsals unannounced more than a few jaws hit the floor.

Denise Cavalli, one of the company's artistic directorate, said: "Michael has always been really supportive of the company, but when he walked in it was a total surprise.

"He stayed for a couple of hours speaking with students and posing for photographs.

"They were absolutely over the moon to meet him."

Michael was back home in South Wales to attend the 70th birthday celebrations of another famous Port Talbot son, Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins. The film legend hosted a lavish party at Margam Orangery for 200 family and friends, including Michael and his parents.

Yet the Bafta-nominated star of The Queen, in which he played former PM Tony Blair, still found time to visit his former company's residential base in Dan-y-Coed, West Cross, Swansea where students were busily working at rehearsals for their latest production, which is being staged this weekend at Pontardawe Arts Centre.

Denise said: "Michael does pop down from time to time, but we did not realise he was home.

"Even the staff were surprised.

"But he took time to speak to students, and was answering questions about his career and offering advice.

"A lot of them had seen him recently in films The Queen and Underworld and were very, very, excited to meet him."

Michael grew up in Port Talbot, and attended Glan Afan Comprehensive School.

He is due to start filming in New Zealand this month on the sequel to supernatural thriller Underworld.

And the reprisal of his role of werewolf Lucian explained his uncharacteristically hirsute look.

"Michael has always made himself available to us, and we are hoping he will do a masterclass in the future," added Denise.

Click here to watch our video interview with Michael Sheen