Nye, Wales Millennium Centre Review
Michael Sheen. Photo by Johan PerssonWritten by Kaye for Theatre and Tonic.
Disclaimer: Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review. All views are my own.
Writing this review, filled with the emotion from the production it’s hard to be objective. It is, after all, a play about a Welsh hero, played by one of Wales’ most beloved exports, currently being hosted in Wales’ largest theatre. However, that said, it’s a production that deserves this five-star rating.
Nye is, in every sense, a truly Welsh production, and there was a palpable sense of pride that radiated throughout the Welsh Millennium Centre. The production, which comes to Wales following its recent stint at the National Theatre in London, is a biographical play based on the life of Aneurin Bevan. As the founder of the National Health Service, the entire production takes place within the confines of a hospital.
The premise of the play is straightforward, as we join Nye in his dying days as he relives important moments in his life. It’s only natural that Nye Bevan has become synonymous with just three letters – NHS – but it does a disservice to the wider impact that he had on British politics. Nye attempts to widen the scope of the of his impact, telling the broader story of who Bevan was and the motivations behind his political passions.
The storytelling is rich and detailed, explaining the why behind his eventual achievements. From the speech impediment that saw him punished in school, to the forging of his lifelong friendship with Archie Lush, and even his unpopular criticism of Winston Churchill during the war.
These days, for the most part, political cabinets tend to work together, supporting each other’s policy measures. For that reason, it’s easy to credit the NHS as being the result of Atlee’s Labour Government, but this play challenges that narrative. His persistence and resistance are the bedrocks of our NHS, an institution that unifies the entire country unlike anything else.
The script is beautifully written and is rich in meaning and political potency. In many ways, this production feels more important now than ever before, particularly with a pivotal, post-covid general election on the horizon. The casting of Michael Sheen is perfection, he is Nye, and his performance is heart-felt and honest. It’s a factor that extends to the remainder of the cast, with every part being played by a diverse and talented cast.
The staging is one of the most creative that I have ever seen, with scenes seamlessly shifting from one to the other, all while remaining clinical and hospital related. There are moments where this production is tear inducing and heart breaking, while other sections are humorous and filled with joy.
The NHS is the legacy of Nye Bevan, and his vision for a better Britain, and this production does an incredible job of telling his story.
The ultimate takeaway is the power of people and the unchallengeable notion that even one person can change the world.
At Wales Millennium Centre until 1 June
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
