There has been much buzz around Nye. Written by Tim Price and a co-production between the Wales Millennium Centre and National Theatre, it’s based on the life and times of Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan. A son of Tredegar, his aspirations as a politician saw some of the most important decisions for health in this country.
The creation of the National Health Service is generally considered his greatest achievement but was – as this play illustrates – fraught with problems, many hurdles which Bevan seems to take in his stride in Nye, likewise adolescent woes and trouble in paradise.
Directed by Rufus Norris, Nye’s staging is typified by green-hued lighting and hospital curtains. There are flashy moments of physical theatre, albeit few and far between – I’d have loved some more – and the ensemble of actors are tight, alive in their fluidity. Price’s script is safe, filled with soaring Welsh moments of humour, conflict and insight. A moment where hospital patients are lifted in their beds to the side as two meta sides of a parliament meeting is clever – more ideas like this would be welcome.
Michael Sheen is up for the part, even if the looks of the real-life Bevan are just not there (granted, in thinking of other actors who might resemble the protagonist more closely, I came up empty-handed). The actor is his usual self, finely delivering proud moments honouring the character for Wales and the good of the entire country. Sheen never takes off his pyjamas throughout, which remains quite amusing even in more serious bursts; his humour is sharply crafted, the dramatic phases polished. Sheen is perfect in performance but the lack of similarly does not take you out of things too much.
The many other performers fare well. Matthew Bulgo, as Mr Orchard, is a tall, cane-swinging cryptid keen to torment Bevan for his stutter. Rhodri Meilir plays a flurry of roles – most disturbing as Nye’s father David Bevan, dying of black lung – and, as politician’s wife Jennie Lee, Sharon Small adds personal moments, though the marriage itself is a less than interesting part of the story.
Tony Jayawardena gets to chew scenery as Winston Churchill, as the threat of World War II worsens thanks to Neville Chamberlain (a fitting Nicholas Khan) and his lack of action. Remy Beasley is good friend Gwen Davies – a sweet if inessential role, only seen in flashbacks and by Nye’s bedside – and any more actors did their part.
Perhaps the most striking image of the night sees Sheen face up to the doctors’ unions. Via a huge projection and more green patterns, the doctors loom down on him – menacing and disagreeable, with judging eyes above medical masks. This is the image from Nye that will stay in the mind.
Nye, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Mon 20 May
On until Sat 1 June. Tickets: £19-£102. Info: here
words JAMES ELLIS
