THE WALES Theatre Company's debut last year was long overdue.

Under artistic director Michael Bogdanov their production of Under Milk Wood, which visited Swansea and Cardiff before touring the UK, was an undeniable triumph.

The superbly performed piece brought the rich poetry of Dylan Thomas' play for voices back to life and was certainly a suitable tribute to his powers.

Matthew Rhys, who played the narrator, has gone on to play Romeo in the RSC's summer season.

But the Wales Theatre Company are going two better with a trilogy of Shakespeare plays beginning this weekend in Swansea.

Bogdanov has chosen The Merchant of Venice, the little-performed Cymbeline and one of the Bard's more successful comedies, Twelfth Night.

The latter two were previewed at the Ludlow Festival this summer and were well-received, with many parallels between the plays - even gentle Twelfth Night - and the modern political situation being drawn.

Bogdanov writes in his introduction to Twelfth Night: "The last of turkey is in the pie, the bones boiled down for soup.

"The Christmas tree is brown and bare - needles cling to the carpet. Paper chains hang limply from the light bulb.

"It's Twelfth Night. The party's over. The Neo-Cons are coming."

His introduction to Cymbeline reads: "War on a pretext. Repressive laws. Trial without jury.

"Time to head for the hills of Wales - breathe clean air, experiment with democracy. Find out who you really are, what you really think.

"Who's your real Mum - who's your real Dad? Cymbeline - a neglected masterpiece."

The cast is led by veterans Philip Madoc, Bill Wallis and Paul Greenwood among a host of experienced actors and new Welsh faces.

The trilogy runs from tonight to October 9 at the Swansea Grand, box office 01792 475715, and from October 18 to 23 at the New Theatre in Cardiff, box office 02920 878889.