National Theatre Wales and Out of Jointwill commence the full tour of Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage – a new, verbatim play directed by Max Stafford-Clark at Cardiff's Sherman Theatre this February.

This is the story of two Welsh names bruised, but not beaten, by media speculation; Gareth “Alfie” Thomas, 100 caps for Wales, once its captain, now the world’s most prominent gay sportsman; and his hometown, Bridgend.

Working with Alfie himself, and young people in Bridgend, two of the UK’s most exciting theatre companies - National Theatre Wales and Out of Joint - have teamed up to tell a great story about sport, politics, secrets, life and learning to be yourself.

Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage will open its tour at the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, from February 19 until March 7 before touring venues across Wales and England The production will feature an all-Welsh cast has also been confirmed as: Patrick Brennan, Katie Elin-Salt, Daniel Hawksford, Lauren Roberts, Rhys ap William and Bethan Witcomb.

Writer Robin Soans is celebrated for his documentary, verbatim plays based on interviews with real people, including Out of Joint's acclaimed shows Mixed Up North, A State Affair and Talking to Terrorists, which was nominated for Best Play at the TMA awards and has been performed overseas including in Tehran. Others include Life After Scandal about Christine and Neil Hamilton, and The Arab-Israeli Cookbook, which also spawned a book of recipes. His most recent play was the fictional drama Perseverance Drive, which played to great praise at the Bush Theatre in 2014.

Director Max Stafford-Clark co-founded Joint Stock Theatre Group in 1974 following his Artistic Directorship of The Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh. From 1979 to 1993, he was Artistic Director of The Royal Court Theatre, after which he founded Out of Joint. His work as a director has overwhelmingly been with new writing, and he has commissioned and directed first productions from writers including Sue Townsend, Stephen Jeffreys, Timberlake Wertenbaker, Sebastian Barry, April de Angelis, Mark Ravenhill, Andrea Dunbar, Alistair Beaton, David Hare and Caryl Churchill. Additionally he has directed for the RSC, Sydney Theatre Company, New York's Roundabout Theater and most recently The Seagull for Culture Project, New York. His books are Letters to George, Taking Stock and Journal of the Plague Year.

Recommended for ages 14+ visit shermancymru.co.uk or call : 029 2064 6900 for ticket details and performance times.