Calls for drama to be re-established as a serious art-form came from individuals such as O. M. Edwards and David Lloyd George at the turn of the twentieth century. Their support, combined with the subsidence of religious opposition, saw amateur theatre flourishing in pre-war Wales. By 1931 it is estimated that there existed some 500 amateur dramatic societies in Wales.

The challenge of radio and television no doubt contributed to the decline of amateur dramatics in the 1950s and 1960s but it was during this period that a number of Welsh actors such as Richard Burton, Stanley Baker and Rachel Roberts, made names for themselves on stage and screen internationally.

A plethora of independent theatre companies developed in Wales throughout the twentieth century providing a stage for both Welsh and English language productions as well as placing an emphasis on educational theatre and encouraging the involvement of young people.

From the mid-twentieth century there were various abortive attempts to establish a Welsh national theatre in both languages; this was only finally successful in 2004 with the creation of Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru.