National Theatre Live celebrates 100th broadcast with play on NHS founder, honours healthcare workers

The National Theatre Live celebrated a monumental milestone yesterday with the broadcast of its 100^th title, the much-anticipated play Nye by Tim Price, which was streamed live from the Olivier stage to over 600 cinemas worldwide. The play, directed by Rufus Norris, delves into the life and achievements of Aneurin Nye Bevan, the man behind the creation of the National Health Service (NHS). This landmark event was further commemorated by the release of a short film highlighting the journey of NT Live since its inception in 2009, featuring insights from acclaimed actors such as Dame Helen Mirren, James Cordon, Fisayo Akinade, Indira Varma and Sir Ian McKellen.

In a gesture of gratitude and recognition towards the healthcare sector, the National Theatre partnered with the NHS to offer 400 NHS workers complimentary tickets to the live performance. Additionally, in collaboration with Vue Cinemas, 1,000 NHS workers nationwide were invited to view the live broadcast, reinforcing the National Theatre’s commitment to making theatre accessible and unifying through the power of storytelling.

The play stars Michael Sheen as Nye Bevan, taking audiences on a surreal journey through Bevan’s life, from his humble beginnings to his monumental role in transforming Britain’s welfare state and founding the NHS. Reflecting on the play’s significance, playwright Tim Price expressed his pride and honour, stating, “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.”

The National Theatre’s initiative to celebrate this centennial release with a focus on the NHS not only highlights the importance of Bevan’s legacy but also underscores the theatre’s ongoing commitment to storytelling that inspires and unites. As the theatre continues to make its productions more accessible to global audiences through cinema screenings, this milestone event encapsulates the evolution and impact of NT Live over the past 15 years.

The editorial unit

For further information visit the theatre’s website here.

Watch the short film here: