Ruth Leon recommends… National Theatre’s Live 100th Show
Ruth Leon recommendsNational Theatre’s Live 100th Show
More than 11 million people have watched a National Theatre Live performance since April 23 2009. That was the first time audiences in cinemas throughout the world could watch a play live from the stage of the National Theatre in London. The play was Phedre, the star was Helen Mirren.
This week, National Theatre Live broadcast it’s 100th title, ‘Nye’– Tim Price’s new play, directed by Rufus Norris, charting the life of Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan and his battle to create the NHS, live from the Olivier stage to over 600 cinemas throughout the world.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.
During the broadcast, the National Theatre released this 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.
A nice touch. 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 this performance, and invited 1,000 NHS workers nationwide to watch the live broadcast in cinemas, extending its commitment to share stories that inspire and unite people.
Audiences can find their local screenings of NT Live at: findavenue.ntlive.com/
Impressive cast, and nice free tickets or viewing (how wide a benefit to NHS personnel is this?) One may wonder, however, how much worldwide interest will accrue to a play about the founding of Britain’s National Health Service? (When I try to search “Nye”, I get New Year’s Eve.)