Nye

Nye – Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

Having been through a global pandemic and with the current state of healthcare very much on the minds of everyone in the UK, this joint production from the National Theatre and the Wales Millennium Centre is both timely and necessary in telling the story of great Welsh Politician Aneurin Bevan, affectionately known as Nye, and his founding of the National Health Service.

The play begins in 1960 after an operation to remove an ulcer uncovers aggressive stomach cancer, and whilst in an NHS hospital, the direct result of his work, and in a dream like state of sedation Nye looks back on the pivotal moments of his life, including the illness and death of his father, meeting his wife Jennie Lee, and his time as Minister for Health and Housing and the complicated negotiations it took to get doctors onside to launch a National Health Service.

The play, written by Tim Price, is a good combination of serious impactful moments and wonderful humour that reflect on one person’s impact on the world. However, it is not a portrayal of a saint, it also considers Bevan’s shortcomings, particularly how he copes with his Miner father’s illness and death from pneumoconiosis.

What really lifts this play to the highest level is the innovative direction of Rufus Norris alongside the choreography of Steven Hoggett and Jess Williams, the physical theatre fits perfectly into the story telling and adds to the dreamlike state of many of the scenes. The set design by Vicki Mortimer is also brilliantly clever, with the green curtains of the hospital ward used to great effect in placing us at the House of Commons debating chamber or in its bar where Nye meets his future wife Jennie Lee. Jon Driscoll’s projections also create astounding effects where the actors meld into the images of people walking towards Nye to tell their stories of the impact of lack of decent health care for poorer people, and a futuristic beam of light that represents the heart line on a monitor and a precious coal seam.

The whole company give outstanding performances, many of them playing multiple roles.  The stand outs for me were Roger Evans as Nye’s lifelong friend and supporter Archie Lush, Stephanie Jacob as the Hospital Matron and Clement Attlee and Tony Jayawardena as Doctor Dain and Winston Churchill. Sharon Small is also superb in the role of Jennie Lee, clearly showing the frustrations of being an equal political force but having to step back at times in support of her husband.

The show rises and falls by its central performance and Michael Sheen does not disappoint, he never leaves the stage and we glimpse into so many different aspects of Bevan’s character and personality, we see what drives him forward and where his zeal comes from. He invests the character with great energy and compassion but also conveys his struggle with working for the greater good and all disadvantaged people, sometimes at the detriment of his own loved ones. It is a wonderfully charismatic performance in which he even shows off some singing talent too, which made me think I’d love to see him do some Sondheim!

This is an important story beautifully told with power, pathos and humour, which gives the audience a chance to reflect on the true and valuable gift given to us by Aneurin Bevan, and even more so the vital importance of protecting it.

This show was reviewed on the 20th May 2024 at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff where it runs until Saturday 1st of June. Tickets are available here https://www.wmc.org.uk/en/whats-on/2024/nye

***** Stars

Beverley Anne Harris

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Photo credit: Johan Persson