Theatr na nÓg open their new play ‘Nye & Jennie’ by playwright Meredydd Baker, about Aneurin Bevan and Jennie Lee this November. This co-production with Aneurin Leisure will open at The Metropole in Abertillery on November 15, the 120th anniversary of Bevan’s birth, and shows another side to the public image of the Tredegar MP and his wife Lee.
As the founder of the NHS, Aneurin Bevan is well-known but less has been documented in the media about his wife Jennie Lee. Lee became the youngest woman at the time to be elected to Parliament. As the first Arts Minister she left a legacy of her own including the foundation of the Open University in 1969 which will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in 2019.
Aneurin Bevan and Jennie Lee were comrades and flatmates who together fought and preached for socialism as they saw it; he the Tredegar firebrand on the Labour backbenches, she the miner’s daughter from Fife who became a Socialist MP before she was old enough to vote. Then they were married; he deeply in love with her; she on the rebound from a tragic love affair. Both of them were loved and loathed by their fellow MP’s; he the Bollinger Bolshevik; she his Lady Macbeth, the dark angel at his shoulder. Life together unfolded through the desolate war years, the trials of founding the NHS, and the vicious internal feuds of the 1950’s. But as it did so their love deepened and matured. This is the story of a partnership that became one of the outstanding political marriages of the twentieth century.
Meredydd Barker’s play introduces us to the power couple of their day, their relationship, the preparation for the biggest moments in their careers and the people behind the public images. The play spans their life together from flatmates, their marriage in 1934, to Nye’s death in 1960, marking notable events in their public and private life along the way.
Director of Nye & Jennie, Theatr na nÓg Artistic Director Geinor Styles said, “The running theme through all of our work as a company is to tell stories of inspirational characters, whether it be a large-scale musical, show for schools or main stage drama. We wanted to tell the story of two extraordinary individuals, who both from humble origins succeeded in changing the lives of generations of ordinary people.
Aneurin Leisure, based in Blaenau Gwent, are the natural partners for this production as the pride in the local community for having such a close connection to Nye is still highly apparent today with many people enthusiastic to share their memories of the politician.”
Gareth John Bale, who will be playing Nye Bevan, said,“The most important thing for me is to capture the man rather than do an impression of him. I’ve been absorbed in reading as much as I can about him and watching clips of his speeches, working from the inside out rather than beginning with the voice and look. By understanding what he stood for and what sort of person he was I hope to be able to portray the man he was.”
Louise Collins, who w ill be playing Jennie Lee, said, “As the daughter of a miner from Lochgelly who went to University in Edinburgh, Jennie Lee was heavily influenced by where she was from. I feel it is important to prepare myself for this memory play by immersing my senses in the landscape, as well as the accent, by visiting her home and her favourite city. Whilst there are few remaining recordings of her speeches, thankfully there are a good number of books about her and by her. This has enabled me to research her history but also to visit the library as Jennie did so often and read about her in her own words.”
Nye & Jennie: The Metropole, Abertillery
Wednesday 15 – Saturday 18 November 2017
Wednesday – Saturday 7.30pm, Thursday & Friday 1pm, Saturday 2pm
Tickets £10 (Early Birds and Concessions) £12 Adults
£15 ‘Meet the Cast’ Experience on Saturday 18 November 2pm
For tickets visit www.nyeandjennie.com or call 01495 355945
About Nye & Jennie
Aneurin Bevan and Jennie Lee were comrades and flatmates who together fought and preached for socialism as they saw it; he the Tredegar firebrand on the Labour backbenches, she the miner’s daughter from Fife who became a Socialist MP before she was old enough to vote.
Then they were married; he deeply in love with her; she on the rebound from a tragic love affair. Both of them were loved and loathed by their fellow MP’s; he the Bollinger Bolshevik; she his Lady Macbeth, the dark angel at his shoulder. Life together unfolded through the desolate war years, the trials of founding the NHS, and the vicious internal feuds of the 1950’s. But as it did so their love deepened and matured. This is the story of a partnership that became one of the outstanding political marriages of the twentieth century.