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Going into this play, I wasn’t aware of much other than that it was based on the life of Aneurin “Nye” Bevan, the founder of the National Health Service. I was apprehensive that with a run time of 2 hours and 40 minutes, I might leave feeling heavy due to the themes, including ill health. I couldn’t have been more wrong.Before the show started, co-director Rufus Norris delivered the news that due to some technical difficulties at the Wales Millennium Centre, the performance would not be the one we were expecting.
A frozen curtain covering only a third of the stage meant the audience could clearly see upstage throughout the performance. This also meant that the curtain staging designed to replicate an NHS hospital wouldn’t be possible. As it transpired, none of that mattered, as it wasn’t long before I was completely immersed in the storytelling.
The play begins with Nye recovering from surgery in an NHS hospital. He wakes to his wife, Jennie, and his friend, Archie, anxiously waiting for him to come round, and the audience is immediately met with a stark juxtaposition. While Nye is eager to return to work as soon as he’s able, it’s clear from his unsettled loved ones that they, along with his doctor, are keeping some details of his surgery close to their chest. What this is won’t be unveiled until much later on. When Nye is struggling in pain, his nurse administers him morphine to make him more comfortable, and we’re away, transported into his first drug-induced hallucination.
Written by Tim Price and co-directed by Rufus Norris and Francesca Goodridge, the play chronicles Nye’s life and legacy as the founder of the NHS through Nye’s memory, following his early years as a stammering schoolboy and coal miner’s son in Tredegar, all the way to his position as Minister of Health in Parliament.
Nye’s journey is fraught with challenges as he fights to improve the lives of millions of people in the UK in the face of countless adversaries. Notably, Winston Churchill, who famously voted against the NHS 21 times. Yet, it’s these challenges that make Nye’s unrelenting drive so moving. From working in the mines and campaigning for better working conditions to becoming an elected MP for Ebbw Vale, Nye is characterised by an undeniable restlessness throughout. The audience learns that this is much to the dismay of his sister, Arianwen, who is the carer for their father, played by Rhodri Meilir, suffering from the harrowing disease of black lung after years of coal mining. A memorable scene sees Arianwen pleading with Nye to spend more time with their father while he still can. Nye strives for good for the many, not the few, embodying the true spirit of a socialist Labour politician in post-war Britain. Yet the cruel irony lies in the fact that while he champions the public cause, time slips away for him to say a proper goodbye to his own dying father.
Although the play tackles some heavy themes, it is peppered with light-hearted and humorous moments, as well as a jovial musical number that offers the audience a welcome respite.
Most notably, Michael Sheen is a beacon of light and unwavering positivity in his portrayal of Nye. His performance felt authentic and so anchored in reality that it was nothing short of magic. Other charming performances were delivered by Jason Hughes, who plays the cheeky Archie, Nye’s best friend, as well as Kezrena James, who plays both Nurse Ellie and Arianwen. The play felt surreal, not least because Sheen, while delivering moving speeches accompanied by heartfelt music that work to hammer the point home, is dressed in striped pyjamas. This serves as a constant reminder of his character’s present reality as a patient in a nationalised hospital he once fought so hard to create, battling politicians, doctors, and even the Prime Minister.
As the play covers the majority of Nye’s life, some intricate details are glossed over, and at times, I couldn’t help but feel like the portrayal of the NHS is through rose-tinted spectacles. A more detailed insight into how Nye convinced doctors to join the NHS would have added depth. Similarly, revelations about Nye’s unconventional marriage to former socialist MP, Jennie Lee, including extramarital affairs on both sides, emerge during a bedside conversation between Jennie and Archie, but feel somewhat random. While this serves to humanise even the most influential of characters and adds some context, it’s introduced rather abruptly and isn’t explored again.
Despite the technical difficulties, the staging was simple yet effective. Lighting, sound, and hospital props were cleverly used to transport you into Nye’s memories, and despite the missing elements, there was a clear distinction between past and present.
The performance is as heartwarming as it is inspirational, and the ensemble was more than deserving of the standing ovation they received. I left the theatre with an overwhelming appreciation for what matters in life.This show captivates your attention and heart right from the start.
Wales Millennium Centre, Donald Gordon Theatre, Cardiff, until 30th August. Book your tickets now on the Wales Millennium Centre website.
wmc.org.uk
