Nye | In Conversation with Michael Sheen and Rufus Norris | National Theatre Live

Michael Sheen (Good Omens) plays the titular Nye Bevan in this surreal and spectacular journey through the life and legacy of the creator of the NHS. Find your local venue: nye.ntlive.com/
--
Confronted with death, Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan’s deepest memories lead him on a mind-bending journey back through his life.
Written by Tim Price and directed by Rufus Norris (Small Island), this epic new Welsh fantasia is in cinemas now.
--
Subscribe on KZbin: / nationaltheatre
Sign up to our monthly newsletter:
National Theatre TikTok: / nationaltheatre
National Theatre Twitter: / nationaltheatre
National Theatre Facebook: / nationaltheatre
National Theatre Instagram: / nationaltheatre
National Theatre Live Twitter: / ntlive
National Theatre Live Facebook: / ntlive
--
At the National Theatre in London, we make world-class theatre that is entertaining, challenging and inspiring. And we make it for everyone: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/
National Theatre Live broadcast the best of British theatre to cinemas in the UK and around the world: www.ntlive.com
National Theatre at Home streams unmissable theatre to you any time, anywhere: www.ntathome.com

[@wingdingz]

Saw Nye at a local theatre in smalltown Canada (we're mostly farmers). I took some friends and purposefully didn't tell them what it was because I wasn't sure if they'd be interested (we know nothing of NHS or British history) and by intermission, we were all riveted to our seats and highly invested. Fantastic storytelling, stage design, and acting. I think stories like this are universally compelling and this is why we need to fund the arts AND make them accessible to those of us who don't get the theatre experience very often. Thank you National Theatre and NTLive teams!

[@Marciestclair]

As someone who worked as a frontline worker during the pandemic, I felt great pride watching this play. It’s wonderful

[@beccastell6439]

Quite something, that so many NHS staff want to go and see it. I shouldn't be here at all - born with a 2% chance of pulling through, certainly no one expected I'd ever be walking talking and getting first class honours degrees. All thanks to an NHS paediatrician who was a bit of a whizz at his job and the NICU nurses.

[@WilliamSmith-mx6ze]

Have you ever been to the continent? Have you ever marvelled about how their health services are ten times better than ours? Have you ever wondered why we con ourselves the NHS is "the envy of the world" but the European countries don't copy the model?

[@heliotropezzz333]

@@WilliamSmith-mx6ze Could the Tories being in charge of ours, a party that never wanted the NHS in the first place, and originally voted against it 21 times, have anything to do with it? The NHS used to be much higher ranked internationally before the Tories go their hands on it. I know that Germany has private sector involvement but that private sector is highly regulated to offer a good public service. That's not been the case with privatised services in the UK though the Tories are pushing in that direction as much as they dare for the NHS too.

[@phyllisbennett5414]

The same goes for France. There's not the same greed and profit motive that you see in the American model, which is where the zzaTorues have been taking the NHS for a long time now

[@heliotropezzz333]

@@WilliamSmith-mx6ze By chance I just read an article with lots of facts showing that all health services in Europe and worldwide are spending less on their health services since the pandemic and that is causing more people to feel they need to pay privately for health services but it's putting a strain on their budgets. I wonder whether health services on the continent are still as good as they once were or as you remember.

[@pmlm6245]

Absolutely dazzling. Sheen never disappoints in his ability to articulate nuances of human depth; and it always comes with charisma and twinkles in his eyes. More importantly, how the play strings so many facets of Nye’s life story together was absolutely ingenious. Such an important story told right. I sincerely hope it goes to wider platforms. It deserves to be seen by as many British voters as possible; in fact, that’d be a vital public service. ❤

[@darkstarnh]

I was at the Millenium Centre tonight. That is the first time in a long time that I came away from a piece of theatre in tears.

[@KatMusic2009]

Me too! In fact, I cried in both Acts. 😢 Michael Sheen is a phenomenal actor.

[@jillallsopp7930]

I do hope the streamed version has been saved and can be revisited either on TV or in cinemas again. It's too important to be lost

[@DrSaraOtung]

Such a privilege to be a part of this incredible play! ❤👏🏾I may be biased, but if you’re reading this definitely come see it (and say hi afterwards!)😄

[@linetjyothi3779]

Wow.. Really wonderful that you are a part of it. I've come on March 11th. But couldn't say Hi to you afterwards 😅 But I did say Hi to Michael Sheen and got his autograph 👍🏻

[@KatMusic2009]

As I am seeing this at the WMC in Cardiff, sadly I will not be able to say Hello to anyone, as they have a ridiculously OTT security system & inaccessible stage door, meaning unless the cast come out through the foyer there is no chance to see them! To me, it seems a ridiculous increased risk to cast members to have to do this! Was so disappointed to see the play was there, as I avoid attending the venue as much as possible tbh.

[@tracyj985]

I was completely blown away by the depth of emotions that I felt watching this incredible play. It is something special.

[@pipsyandmanoneki378]

Just watched this at my local cinema. This is an amazing piece of work - if you can find a way to watch it, you must!

[@SianAjzan]

Excellent! Would highly recommend. I was lucky to see it free, as a NHS worker. Looking forward to seeing it again in Cardiff in May.... Superb story and performance.....A must see...

[@pmlm6245]

I sincerely hope it goes to wider platforms. It deserves to be seen by as many British voters as possible; in fact, that’d be a vital public service. ❤

[@rizaunal3938]

Saw this at the NT. Stunning! Absolutely magnificent, dazzling performance. Michael Sheen is absolutely amazing.

[@olwenrose2780]

It is a fabulous play about a very great man...also featuring his friend and political agent Sir Archibald Leach...

[@melindap9133]

saw this via NTL Live at a cinema in Brighton the other night. We weeped with arggggghhhhh - such a potent mixture of deep gratitude, respect, sadness, laughter... a profoundly beautiful complex production. Thanks to y'all. Brilliant job done.

[@catferreira5598]

When I teach An Inspector Calls I always have to talk about the creation of the welfare state - and I always talk about Bevan as well. As they mentioned, not many younger people out of Wales seem to know of him at all. Even adults!

[@tdsymes]

Screened in Taunton last night (23 April) I was watching a play, not a film. A brilliant performance by the whole cast, Truly deserved my applause at the end of the play.

[@SianMorris-vf8rs]

Amazing play and performances - great tribute to a childhood hero

[@marianlightfoot9450]

Saw the play yesterday at NTL. Didn't know much about Nye beforehand. Found it informative with superb acting from the whole cast. Would recommend people go to see it if you get the chance.❤👍

[@Tredegarfilm]

Bevan was a truly great man, but I do wish that people would also remember Walter Conway, Bevans mentor. Without Conway, none of this would have happened.

[@KittyinAnotherCity-qy1lu]

It would be nice to see a limited series of biopics around some of these key people, so that the public can see- mammoth tasks can be spurred on by people from regular backgrounds, spurred on by the grotesque injustices that they see around them.

[@KittyinAnotherCity-qy1lu]

Want want want! Will this be available for home streaming once it’s finished its live showing?

[@stephaniestephanie1290]

I cringe to say this, but the interview here with its honest reflections explaining the thoughts of those living in another country feels pretty intriguing and looks more lifelike than the colorful shots of the play (which had interesting colors but had a more artistic sensibility as opposed to the deeply honest thought just shared in this interview which I think was beautiful and moving and warm)

[@janeknight3597]

He was a complicated man. Now we need a play about Jennie Lee. As a nation we owe them both so much.

[@Marciestclair]

There are two plays about Jennie Lee on in London

[@laura02665]

It'll be available on NT at home as well, right?

[@beccastell6439]

Hope so! Bound to be if it is their 100th NT Live.

[@morgana7116]

👏👏👏 really

[@beana666]

Why doesn't Rufus look at Michael???

[@sellensfamily2725]

Neither Rufus nor Michael are looking at each other when they're speaking, they are directing their gaze to the camera. However, they appear to be watching the other as he is speaking (I guess they're just doing as they're told!)

[@KatMusic2009]

It's an interview, surely they SHOULD be looking at the interviewer behind the camera. They are not having a chat, so don't need to look at each other, but they are listening respectfully when the other one speaks.