STEPHANIE BROWN draws attention to the hidden labour of the female embroiderers, and how a 19th century replica made no such error
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The NHS case for a left-wing Labour party
PAUL DONOVAN salutes a timely dramatisation of Aneurin Bevin's life, and the political struggle on the left to create the NHS
Roger Evans (Archie Lush), Michael Sheen (Nye Bevan) and Sharon Small (Jennie Lee) in Nye
[Johan Persson]
MIK SABIERS revels in a band that ploughs an idiosyncratic furrow of expletive laden, guitar-driven alt rock
ANDY HEDGECOCK, MARIA DUARTE and ANGUS REID review Synthetic Sincerity, Our Hero, Balthazar, Heartstopper Forever, and A Year In London
The bard invites readers to a gig, raps for Clacton, and lays out the Burnham-Hurzeler conundrum
RON JACOBS recommends an important book that enhances the oppositional theories put forth by Fanon and, in doing so, remakes psychology itself
JAN WOOLF relishes an extensive history of our long relationship to trees in Britain that underlines the current emergency
DIANE WATT argues that while evidence of sex is not there, a 16th‑century lesbian poet could be Scotland’s answer to Gentleman Jack
Nye
Olivier Theatre, NT
The narrative is centred on looking back from Nye's deathbed, fittingly set in an NHS hospital ward. In fact the hospital aroma permeates throughout, when it is even a nurse serving the drinks in the House of Commons when Nye first meets future Labour MP and minister Jenny Lee.
The play, by Tim Price, looks back at the different experiences that formed Nye Bevan, from his time in the pits and local council, to the House of Commons and ultimately battling the doctors over NHS contracts.
There are great performances throughout, none more so than Sheen, who brings forth the vulnerabilities of the man, as well as his explosive energy and passion — all done whilst wearing pyjamas.
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