From campaigning at the coalfield to leading the battle to create the NHS, Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan is often referred to as the politician with greatest influence on our country without ever being Prime Minister.
Confronted with death, Nye’s deepest memories lead him on a mind-bending journey back through his life; from childhood to mining underground, Parliament and fights with Churchill in an epic Welsh fantasia.
MICHAEL SHEEN (The Queen, Twilight, The Damned United, Masters of Sex, Under Milk Wood) is Nye Bevan in this surreal and spectacular journey through the life and legacy of the man who transformed Britain’s welfare state.
As the company begins rehearsals the full cast have now been announced. The new play by Welsh playwright and screenwriter Tim Price (Teh Internet is Serious Business) is directed by Rufus Norris (London Road).
Matthew Bulgo, Dyfan Dwyfor, Ross Foley, Daniel Hawksford, Bea Holland, Michael Keane, Nicholas Khan, Oliver Llewellyn-Jenkins, Mark Matthews, Ashley Mejri, Lee Mengo, David Monteith, Mali O’Donnell and Sara Otung join the previously announced cast of Remy Beasley, Roger Evans, Jon Furlong, Stephanie Jacob, Kezrena James, Tony Jayawardena, Rebecca Killick, Rhodri Meilir, Michael Sheen and Sharon Small.
From campaigning at the coalfield to leading the battle to create the NHS, Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan is often referred to as the politician who’s had the greatest influence on the UK without ever being Prime Minister.
Confronted with death, Nye’s deepest memories lead him on a mind-bending journey back through his life; from childhood to mining underground, Parliament and fights with Churchill in an epic Welsh fantasia.
Nye will play at Wales Millennium Centre for two weeks on 18th May through to 1st June. The WMC run comes off the back of a long stint at the National Theatre in London where it’ll play from 24th February through to 11th May.
Tickets for Nye are now on sale, starting at just £19. For more details, and to book yours, go HERE. Offers are available for members, groups, disabled, under 16s, 16–30s and schools.
At the Hay Festival in 2017 Michael spoke passionately about the culture, society and the humane vision and tradition that Aneurin Bevan inspires. Grab a cuppa and give it a watch below, it really is terrific.
Graeme Farrow, Wales Millennium Centre’s Artistic Director told us……
“We’re thrilled to be working with the National Theatre again, bringing the story of this Welsh radical reformer to audiences a mere stone’s throw from the Valleys communities which shaped Nye Bevan and his vision.
In this new play by Tim Price we welcome Michael Sheen to perform on home soil once again. A Welsh icon of social change, played by a Welsh icon of stage and screen, under our iconic Welsh roof – this will be an epic experience with deep resonance for audiences next year.”
Rufus Norris, National Theatre’s Artistic Director, said:…..
“I am excited to announce that Tim Price’s brilliant new play Nye, which I will be directing in the Olivier in February, will be a co-production with Wales Millennium Centre where it will transfer following its run with us.
To bring the story to Nye Bevan’s home in Wales feels very special and an appropriate way to further honour his legacy through this production.”
Director Rufus leads a creative team including set designer Vicki Mortimer, costume designer Kinnetia Isidore, lighting designer Paule Constable, co-choreographers Steven Hoggett and Jess Williams, composer Will Stuart, sound designer Donato Wharton, projection designer Jon Driscoll, company voice work Cathleen McCarron and Tamsin Newlands, staff director Francesca Goodridge, associate set designer Matt Hellyer, dialect coach Patricia Logue and casting by Alastair Coomer CDG and Chloe Blake.
This first co-production between the National Theatre and Wales Millennium Centre continues a growing relationship between the two national companies, following the transfer of The Boy with Two Hearts from Cardiff to the National’s Dorfman Theatre in 2022, as well as the ever-increasing touring presentations of National Theatre productions including the multi-award-winning War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time and most recently The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
