Nye at the National Theatre starring Michael Sheen: Review

Nye tells the story of Health Minister Aneurin Bevan, a Welsh socialist who went from campaigning in his hometown in Wales to leading the way for a healthcare system based on “need and not money.”

The play, written by Tim Price and directed by Rufus Norris is a collaboration between the National Theatre and the Wales Millennium Centre and takes place on a timeline of events in Nye’s life, from his early school years in the early 1900s until his death in 1960.

The play takes us through the timeline of Nye Bevan's life (Image: Johan Persson)

The play jumps between the 60s, as Nye is treated at a newly built hospital under his direction, and the events leading up to the emergence of the NHS.

The set, mainly focused on the wards of an NHS hospital, utilises the curtains and beds to form various settings like the benches of the House of Commons and the bar where Nye first met his wife Jennie.

The set focuses on the wards of an NHS hospital (Image: Johan Persson)

The set uses lighting, sound and graphics to accelerate the pace of the show and to highlight tense moments, like when Nye faces the death of his father, brawls with Churchill during the Blitz, and talks with BMA doctors in an attempt to sway them towards signing up with his NHS.

Lighting and effects add to the pace of the show (Image: Johan Persson)

Michael Sheen gives a compelling, funny and charismatic performance of the late Health Minister.

He executes his speeches with passion, which were very moving at times and deeply conveyed the desires of the socialist for a fairer Britain.

Michael Sheen is compelling as Nye Bevan (Image: Johan Persson)

His chemistry with his wife Jennie Lee played by Sharon Small is palpable.

A personal highlight for me was watching Michael Sheen in pyjamas singing a rendition of “Get Happy” as doctors and nurses danced around him.

Michael Sheen sings Get Happy during the show

The play swings in the balance of being a funny play, with a lot of wit, political driven repartees and a fair dose of swearing, and being deeply moving as Nye faces up to the harsh reality of life and death and living in a society without universal healthcare.

Ultimately, the play tells the story of arguably one of this country’s greatest social triumphs in the last 100 years and the man behind it.

Nye celebrates one of this country’s greatest social triumphs (Image: Johan Persson)

By the end of the play, I sat bleary-eyed as the stage went dark, with Michael as Nye asking if he had “looked after everyone” following a long battle to create a fairer healthcare system for people of the UK.

Nye is set to play at the Olivier Theatre in London until May 11, before playing at Cardiff from May 18 until June 1, and will be airing at cinemas from April 23 until July 23.