National Theatre celebrates 100th National Theatre Live release of ‘Nye’ with short film
Yesterday, National Theatre Live broadcast it’s 100th title, ‘Nye’– Tim Price‘s (Teh Internet is Serious Business) new play directed by Rufus Norris (Small Island), charting the life of Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan and his battle to create the NHS, live from the Olivier stage to over 600 cinemas.
During the broadcast, the National Theatre released a short film capturing the story of NT Live from its inception in 2009. Featuring Dame Helen Mirren, James Cordon, Fisayo Akinade, Indira Varma, and Sir Ian McKellen, the film offers a look behind the curtain at how NT Live has evolved over the last 15 years, capturing world-class performances and taking them into cinemas, making theatre more accessible for global audiences.
Watch the film here: National Theatre Live | 100 Plays in Cinemas (youtube.com)
To celebrate Nye as the 100th release from National Theatre Live, the National Theatre partnered with the NHS to give 400 NHS workers free tickets to last night’s performance, and invited 1,000 NHS workers nationwide to watch the live broadcast in cinemas in collaboration with Vue, extending its commitment to share impactful stories that inspire and unite people.
Michael Sheen plays Nye Bevan in a surreal and spectacular journey through the life and legacy of the man who transformed Britain’s welfare state and created the NHS, in this co-production with Wales Millennium Centre. Confronted with death, Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan’s deepest memories lead him on a mind-bending journey back through his life; from childhood to mining underground, Parliament and fights with Churchill.
Tim Price, playwright of Nye, said last night, “I started writing this play about ten years ago so to be here tonight with a lot of people who work in the NHS watching this foundation story is a real privilege and to be part of the 100th NT Live is also a very special one.”
Audiences can find their local screenings of NT Live at: findavenue.ntlive.com/
With thanks
This production is 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.
Sky Arts is the Headline Sponsor of National Theatre Live in the UK.
About Sky Arts
Sky Arts exists to bring more art to more people across the UK. In 2020, with the creative industries under serious threat, we threw open our doors to make the channel free for everyone to watch. We’ve redoubled our mission to increase access to the arts and we’re committed to getting everyone involved as the industry moves from strength to strength. The fact is, we need the arts like never before, and Sky Arts brings them straight to your living room.
We have something for everyone, championing creative talent by showcasing the best in music, theatre, dance, literature, opera and visual art. From Glyndebourne to the Isle of Wight Festival and Botticelli to Barbara Kingsolver, we’ve got your passions covered. Millions of viewers tune in to hit returning series such as Portrait Artist of the Year, but our acclaimed new programmes might take you anywhere from the quiet calm of Hockney’s studio to headbanging with Black Sabbath.
Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. Sky Arts is the headline sponsor of National Theatre Live in the UK and we work with cultural partners across the country including the English National Opera, Bristol Old Vic, Tate, Creative UK and the Crafts Council to name but a few.
You can watch Sky Arts for free on Freeview channel 36 and Freesat channel 147. If you’ve got Sky or a Now TV entertainment pass, you can also watch over 2,000 hours of shows exclusively on demand.
About the National Theatre
The National Theatre makes theatre that entertains and inspires using its creativity, expertise and unique reach. The National Theatre shares unforgettable stories with millions of audience members across the UK and around the world – on its own stages, on tour, in schools, on cinema screens and streaming at home.
World-leading artists make their best work at the National Theatre with the widest possible audience and impact. The National Theatre invests in talent and innovation on stage and off, taking seriously its role as the nation’s theatre. Of the new productions developed each year with a wide range of theatre companies, a third of that research and development resource is dedicated to shows staged at theatres outside London.
Through touring our work to local theatres and schools and nationwide education and community programmes, we are active in 71 of the 109 levelling up priority areas in the UK. A registered charity with deeply embedded social purpose, the National Theatre works with hundreds of schools and communities across the UK to fire imagination and inspire creativity, and to develop skills and pathways for careers in theatre.
For more information, please visit nationaltheatre.org.uk
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