NT Live’s 100th Milestone

What is NT Live? 

National Theatre Live brings the best of British theatre to the cinema screen. From serious drama to unmissable comedies, starring the biggest names from stage and screen. 

NT Live Through the Years

Warwick Arts Centre have been screening National Theatre Live since the very first broadcast of; Phedre (2009), starring the Legendary Dame Helen Mirren. 

Along the years fan favourites have ranged from A Streetcar Named Desire (2014) starring Gillian Anderson, to Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag (2019).

However, the most popular NT Live at Warwick Arts Centre and across the UK has been Jodie Comer’s Olivier Award-winning debut in Prima Facie (2017).

My Experience at a Live Recording

On Wednesday 17 April I was lucky enough to head down to the Olivier Theatre in London to watch a Live recording test of Nye, starring Micheal Sheen.

Before the performance there was a interesting pre-show talk with director Rufus Norris. We heard from him a bit of background on how Nye was made, as well as his favourite scenes from the play. 

One of which was the library scene, a pivotal time in Nye Bevan’s journey with his speech, providing a tremendous mix of humour, emotional vulnerability and excellent movement. 

The room was then opened up for a Q&A session with everyone who had travelled from other venues for this performance. 

We were provided with a fascinating insight into the journey of how a play is made at the National Theatre, going from the New Work department, all the way to it being broadcast nationally. 

A highlight for me came from a local cinema heaping praise to the National Theatre team, for providing the opportunity for everyone to see great theatre from the comfort of their cinema seat, something I very much agree with! 

After the Q&A we had a short break before taking our seats for the performance. 

An impressive bank of cameras was in place across the aisles, ranging in size and placement ready to capture the performance. 

Even with the amount of equipment, it didn’t obstruct my view as the seating has quite a steep incline. 

The actual performance was breath-taking! Taking you on the journey of Nye Bevan’s life, his politics and the founding of the NHS.

I laughed… I cried… It even had my foot tapping at moments. 

If you get a chance to see Nye at the cinemas, I couldn’t recommend it enough.