Michael Sheen headlines Nye, the return of Tim Price’s Welsh ‘fantasia’ charting the life of NHS founder Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan coming to the National Theatre this July.
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.
Directed by Rufus Norris (Small LIsland), Sheen returns to play Bevan in this coproduction between the National and Wales Millennium Centre. It first ran in 2024.
The returning cast also includes Remy Beasley as Gwen Davies and ensemble, Matthew Bulgo as Mr Orchard and ensemble, Ross Foley as Clerk and ensemble, Jon Furlong as Herbert Morrison and ensemble, Daniel Hawksford as Alun Jones, Neil and ensemble, Michael Keane as ensemble, Nicholas Khan as Neville Chamberlain, Doctor Frankel and ensemble.
Other cast include Rebecca Killick as Lucy Pritchard and ensemble, Stephanie Jacob as Clement Atlee and ensemble, Kezrena James as Arianwen, Nurse Ellie and ensemble, Tony Jayawardena as Winston Churchill, Doctor Dain and ensemble, Mark Matthews as ensemble, Rhodri Meilir as David Bevan and ensemble, Ashley Mejri as Owen Thomas and ensemble, Lee Mengo as Jack Stockton and for some performances Nye Bevan, Mali O’Donnell as swing, Sara Otung as ensemble and Sharon Small as Jennie Lee and ensemble.
Joining the production for 2025 are Jason Hughes as Archie Lush, Joshua McCord as Councillor Williams and ensemble, Hannah McPake as ensemble and Gareth Tempest as swing.
Norris leads a creative team that features 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, revival co-director Francesca Goodridge, casting by Alastair Coomer, Chloe Blake and Martin Poile, dialect coach Patricia Logue, voice coaches Cathleen McCarron and Tamsin Newlands, consultant medical advisor Matt Morgan and associate lighting designer Lucy Adams.
Nye plays the National’s Olivier Theatre from July 3 to August 16, 2025.
Tickets are now on sale: nationaltheatre.org.uk
Top image: Michael Sheen (Nye Bevan) in Nye at the National Theatre (c) Johan Persson