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Nye

by Tim Price
a co-production with Wales Millennium Centre

A man wearing red and black striped pajamas and plaid slippers is moving through flowing, translucent teal curtains. He extends his left arm forward, to part one of the curtains. The background consists of soft, undulating teal curtain layers, creating an abstract, dreamy environment.

Booking and details

3 July — 16 August 2025
Dates & tickets
The event location is

Olivier Theatre

National Theatre
South Bank
London SE1 9PX

One man’s dream of the NHS

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 (Under Milk Wood) reprises his role as Nye Bevan in this ‘valiant and valuable affirmation of the NHS’ (★★★★ Telegraph). Written by Tim Price (Teh Internet is Serious Business) and ‘vividly directed’ (★★★★ Times) by Rufus Norris (Small Island), this celebration of the life and legacy of the man who transformed Britain’s welfare state returns to the Olivier following a sell-out run.

Other ways to watch

The original 2024 production

Online

Take Your Seats

Following its critically acclaimed debut, Nye with Michael Sheen will be streaming free on YouTube from 7pm GMT on 7 November, until 11 November.

Watch on YouTube

Reviews

Suitability

Please note: This production takes place in a hospital setting and includes references to medical conditions and procedures throughout. It contains strobe effect lighting, haze and the use of strong language.

Supporters

This original production at the National Theatre was supported by the Huo Family Foundation and Rosetrees Trust. The commissioning of this play was generously supported by the Sir Peter Shaffer Charitable Foundation. This play is a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Plays Award.

Cast includes

Lee Mengo
Lee Mengo photo portrait

Lee Mengo

For some performances (see schedule) Nye Bevan / Jack Stockton

Michael Sheen

Michael Sheen

Nye Bevan

Artistic team

Writer

Tim Price

Tim Price

Director

Rufus Norris

Rufus Norris

Set Designer

Vicki Mortimer

Vicki Mortimer

Costume Designer

Kinnetia Isidore

Kinnetia Isidore

Lighting Designer

Paule Constable

Paule Constable

Co-Choreographer

Steven Hoggett

Steven Hoggett

Co-Choreographer

Jess Williams

Jess Williams

Composer

Will Stuart

Will Stuart

Sound Designer

Donato Wharton

Donato Wharton

Projection Designer

Jon Driscoll

Jon Driscoll

Revival Co-Director

Francesca Goodridge

Francesca Goodridge

Casting Director

Alastair Coomer CDG

Alastair Coomer CDG

Casting Director

Chloe Blake

Chloe Blake

Dialect Coach

Patricia Logue

Patricia Logue

Company Voice Work

Cathleen McCarron

Cathleen McCarron

Company Voice Work

Tamsin Newlands

Tamsin Newlands

Consultant Medical Adviser

Matt Morgan

Matt Morgan

Associate Lighting Designer

Lucy Adams

Tickets

Monday – Saturday evenings and matinees:
£25, £39, £59, £79, £99

Previews 3 – 8 July:
£20, £35, £49, £64, £79

For concessions and discounts, see Ways to save

Please note the 6.30pm start time on the following performances: Thur 31 Jul, Tue 5 Aug, Thur 7 Aug and Tue 12 Aug.

Visit our Ticketing FAQs for information on how to book, ticket exchanges and more.

Prices may change according to demand

Please note: Michael Sheen will not be performing on the following dates:
Wed 16 July, 2pm
Wed 23 July, 2pm
Wed 30 July, 7.30pm
Wed 6 Aug, 2pm
Wed 13 Aug, 7.30pm
Lee Mengo will be performing the role of Nye Bevan at these performances.

Assisted performances

Captioned

BSL Interpreted

Audio described

No Chilled performance available.

Relaxed performance

The interpreter for the BSL performance will be announced closer to the performance date.

Audio-described performances are preceded by a Touch Tour, 90 minutes before the performance start time. Call the Access line on 020 7452 3961 to book Touch Tours.

The Audio describers will be announced closer to the performance date.

We have an allocation of tickets held for members of our Access scheme and if any of the assisted performances above are shown as “Sold Out”, tickets may still be available: Please log in to your account to view all available tickets, or call Box Office on 020 7452 3961

Smart caption glasses

Are planned to be available for performances of Nye from 7.30pm, Wednesday 16 July.

Shop

Visit the Shop website for a wide range of playtexts, gifts and prints of past production posters.

 

 

Photography by Rachel Louise Brown.