NEWPORT'S Riverfront Theatre is to play a pivotal role in the first-ever programme of the new National Theatre of Wales.

It was announced yesterday that it will host one of the 12 shows being staged by NTW at venues around Wales which will include the Army camp at Sennybridge, taxis in Cardiff and the beaches of North Wales.

Artistic director John McGrath and producer Lucy Davies gave details of the exciting and innovative line-up which will start in March with A Good Night Out in the Valleys to be shown at five miners' institutes or workmen's halls.

A crowd watching the online launch in The Riverfront were delighted when it was revealed that its turn would come next November.

Mr McGrath explained that author Gwyn Thomas, one of the great English language writers in Wales, had written stories of the valleys in 1930s and 1940s.

Archive footage of the witty Mr Thomas, talking about a national theatre for Wales, was shown as part of the launch.

Afterwards, Riverfront director Nic Young said he was delighted that the Riverfront was part of the NTW's programme for the first year.

He said The Dark Philosophers was an amazing piece of writing.

Mr Young said it would be one of the key events of Newport Festival 2010 which is taking place next year to celebrate the coming of the Ryder Cup.

A 13th production was also announced by Lucy Davies who said it would be either the finale of their first year or a spectacular opening of the second.

Newport-born actor Michael Sheen is returning to Port Talbot, where he grew up, to revive the town's Passion Play.

A year long project will culminate with a production in April 2011.