The well-known actor Mark Lewis Jones is this year’s President of the National Eisteddfod
He spoke in the Pavilion on the festival’s opening day in Wrecsam.
Mark Lewis Jones, the well-known actor, paid heartfelt tribute to the support he received from the people of Rhosllannerchrugog at the start of his stage and television career.
His face is familiar to many, even if the name isn’t. His credits include a list of iconic recent TV shows such as The Crown, Game of Thrones, Keeping Faith, Man Up, and Baby Reindeer. His film career is also impressive, from his role as Captain Moden Canady in Star Wars: The Last Jedi to his part in the recent film Sweetland.
This week, he is serving as President of the National Eisteddfod, held in Wrexham, just a few miles from his birthplace.
In his speech, he sincerely thanked his grandfather for insisting that the Eisteddfod should be “by everyone and for everyone.” He said:
“My grandfather, Jonathan Dafis, sang in the Pavilion many times as a loyal member of Rhos Male Voice Choir, and also helped organize the festival when it came to the area in 1945. But somehow, when I was growing up, I didn’t feel the Eisteddfod was relevant to me.”
Although raised in a Welsh-speaking community, he felt the Eisteddfod didn’t represent Welsh people like him. But over time, he realized he was wrong.
He added that his wife, Gwenno, runs a clothing shop in Cardiff and regularly rents a stall on the Maes:
“One of my favorite memories of coming to the Eisteddfod with Gwenno was chatting with people who had traveled from far and wide to be part of the festival. It became clear how essential the Eisteddfod is in supporting and promoting the arts in our country.”
He has four sons, all of whom appreciate the importance of the festival, and Jacob, the youngest, is working on the Maes this week.
“I’ve come to understand what Taid understood from the start – that the Eisteddfod is by everyone, for everyone. And if he were still with us, I know he’d be here, in the front row, with a proud smile on his face watching his grandson on the stage at last.”
He outlined how he became an actor:
“I’ve been fortunate to stand on many famous stages over the years – the Globe Theatre, the National Theatre in London, the Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford – but I’ve never stood on the stage of the National Eisteddfod before.”
He went to Ysgol Morgan Llwyd in Wrexham, with no idea what to do with his life. But a teacher named Gwawr Mason invited him to take part in the next school show. He said:
“After taking part in that show, my life changed completely. I wanted to act.”
Although there was no connection to the arts in his home, and English was the main language, he received support from his parents. He went on to work with Clwyd Youth Theatre, study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and then to Theatre Clwyd and London.
“I can say for certain that none of that would have happened if Gwawr Mason hadn’t offered a helping hand to a young, lost boy. Sadly, we lost Gwawr during the lockdown. Although I thanked her many times, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank her enough.”
As President, he has a full schedule this week, but he’s especially looking forward to taking part in the centenary celebrations of The Stiwt Theatre – an institution with a deeply personal connection for him.
