A working class tale of life, labour and love is told in a new play coming to Aberystwyth.

Aneurin Bevan, better known as Nye, and his wife Jennie Lee fought together for a new way of life for the people of Britain; he the Welsh Valleys’ firebrand on the Labour backbenches, who rose to become one of the greatest politicians this country has ever seen; and she the miner’s daughter from Fife who became a Socialist MP before she was old enough to vote.

Together they navigated the turbulent world of politics to set up great British institutions for the benefit of all – the National Health Service and the Open University.

Nye & Jennie, an intimate and poetic play from Theatr na nÓg, offers a fascinating insight on the marriage of one of the most outstanding political partnerships of the 20th century and led to writer Meredydd Barker being nominated for best playwright at the Welsh Theatre Awards 2017.

A notable cast features Gareth John Bale as Nye, who has recently returned from New York performing his celebrated role in one-man show Grav, and fresh from touring with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Louise Collins as Jennie.

This is Theatr na nÓg’s first co-production with the Aneurin Leisure Trust, a natural partner for a play about their local hero.

Director of Nye & Jennie and Theatr na nÓg artistic director Geinor Styles said: “The running theme through all of our work as a company is to tell stories of inspirational characters, whether it be a large-scale musical, show for schools or main stage drama.

“We wanted to tell the story of two extraordinary individuals, who both from humble origins succeeded in changing the lives of generations of ordinary people.”

The show’s tour coincides with the 70th anniversary of the founding of the NHS in 1948, a year in which reflection on the NHS and its founding ideals have inevitably been making the news, and Bevan’s achievement recognised and celebrated across the country.

Nye & Jennie is on at Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Saturday, 20 October, at 7.30pm.

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