With Nye reopening at the National Theatre from 3rd July, Ross Foley will play Clerk & Ensemble, a role he’ll be reprising, having been in the cast of last year’s run in London and Wales Millennium Centre, where he also covered the roles of Mr Orchard, Neville Chamberlain, David Bevan and Dr Frankel, and the show was filmed for National Theatre Live. Nye will continue through July, ending the run on 16th August, and will star Michael Sheen as Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan, and it will be directed by Rufus Norris for his final show as artistic director at the National Theatre. Amongst Ross’s stage projects, he played Sir Toby Belch/Olivia in Twelfth Night in 2018 and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing in 2023 for HandleBards Company, and he has worked in immersive theatre with shows such as The Museum of Last Fragments and Peaky Blinders: The Rise. Ross also has screen experience, playing Johnny in How This Blind Girl… for the BBC and filmed for an episode of Series 2 of Gangs of London. Recently, we spoke with Ross about playing Clerk & Ensemble in Nye at the National Theatre and last year’s run in London and at the Wales Millennium Centre, having the show filmed for National Theatre Live in 2024 and his time in Twelfth Night and Much Ado About Nothing.

From 3rd July, you will be reprising your role of Clerk & Ensemble in Nye at the National Theatre, what are you looking forward to for returning to the show this summer?

Performing at the NT is no doubt a career highlight for me, so to be returning with this powerful Welsh show, celebrating the life of our own Nye Bevan – especially at this crucial time for our NHS – is a real privilege. And to top it all off, to be playing through the summer months on the vibrant South Bank – what a treat.

Can you tell us about Nye and how was it reading the script for the first time?

It’s a show chronicling the life of Aneurin Bevan, the founder of the NHS, and the trials (and triumphs) he saw throughout his short 62 years – rising through the ranks to become Minister for Health from his humble beginnings in Tredegar in South Wales, and getting his audacious plan for a state-funded health service passed a whole lot of opposition.

Reading the script for the first time at the end of 2023 was magical, but it wasn’t until I got into the room, heard the words aloud and began creating our many choreographed set-pieces with such a magnificent team that I came to appreciate the depth and power of Nye’s story.

What did you enjoy most about last year’s run in London and at the Wales Millennium Centre and how was it seeing the audience response to the play?

The audience response was the highlight. With the NHS so central to today’s national conversation, seeing people moved by Nye’s legacy was incredibly powerful – especially in Wales, where the emotional connection was deeply felt.

We understand you also covered the roles of Mr Orchard, Neville Chamberlain, David Bevan and Dr Frankel, how was it understudying these characters?

I had never understudied before this job, so it was a different kind of challenge. I only actually covered the character of Mr Orchard once last year as the principal actor was injured, and it was a real thrill to step in. I suppose the trickiest thing is ensuring you’re totally on the ball with lines, and with the complex choreography, for all of your understudy roles, as well as your own track – anything can happen!

What is it like working alongside the rest of the cast, which includes Michael Sheen starring as Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan, and being directed by Rufus Norris?

It’s a huge cast – 24 of us. I’m sure the phrase ‘wrangling cats’ has been used on many occasions… Everyone is so skilled and it’s a privilege to work alongside them all – we’re all pushed to match each other’s energy and standard. Rufus is visionary, I can’t overstate how grateful I am to be working with him on this, his final show before his departure from the NT as AD – his vision has shaped this show beautifully.

How was it filming the show for National Theatre Live in 2024, and why would you recommend booking tickets for this year’s run, which closes on 16th August?

Filming for NT Live was electric – the energy in the room was palpable. It’s brilliant the show is captured, but nothing compares to experiencing it live in the Olivier. I’d urge people to catch it before we finish.

How was your time performing in Twelfth Night (2018) as Sir Toby Belch/Olivia and Much Ado About Nothing (2023) as Benedick for HandleBards company?

Ah, the HandleBards are the most wonderful folk in the world. Hands down has been my favourite way to tour the country. And to play those cracking roles too – a dream come true.

We understand you have also been involved with immersive theatre in shows such as The Museum of Last Fragments and Peaky Blinders: The Rise, how different do you find these productions to your other work?

The Museum of Last Fragments, which I co-created for Boomtown Festival with Thomas Wood and Third MindCreates, was a magical experience rooted in my childhood love of stage magic.

Peaky Blinders was a huge challenge – my first foray into immersive theatre, and I was playing Arthur, one of the leading roles. I loved the show and the cast, and I learned so much about real live presence and adaptability on the job.

As a screen actor, you played Johnny in How This Blind Girl… for the BBC, can you tell us about this?

This was a great job – I filmed this in Cardiff, and it was a joy to be working alongside many Royal Welsh College alumni. A really rewarding shoot.

What was it like filming for an episode of Series 2 of Gangs of London?

A short but special day. Gareth Evans has long been someone I’ve admired, so it was a real bucket-list moment.

Can you say about some of the other projects you’ve worked on over your career so far, which have included Comet at Pleasance Theatre and Under Milk Wood at The Watermill Theatre?

Comet was my first Pleasance show and a brilliant intro to the fringe world. Under Milk Wood felt like a rite of passage for a Welsh actor – performing it at the Watermill was an unforgettable experience.

Where does your love of acting come from and how did you originally get started in the industry?

It started with film – watching movies with my dad and slowly working through every shelf in Blockbusters (RIP) in Penarth.

I’ve always loved performing (showing off probably is where it started, ask my mum…) and I had fantastic drama teachers at Stanwell, Rebecca Matthews and Rhian Davies, who nurtured that passion early on. Having them see Nye in Cardiff last year meant the world.

Do you have any favourite films, TV and theatre shows to watch, and are there any theatre shows you’d like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?

Films – Twelve Angry Men and School of Rock are two I keep coming back to – odd pairing, I know, but both made a big impact on me. I go to the cinema several times a week, so my favourites shift often.

TV – again, it changes all the time but most recently Adolescence by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham blew me away.

Theatre – I always keep an eye on the Almeida; Patriots and Cold War are two of the best things I’ve seen.

How do you like to spend your time away from your career?

I’ve been writing my first screenplay recently, which has been a joy. I love travelling – I went to Goa in January – and hope to keep ticking off new places each year. I’m also big into my gardening and sea swimming, so a move down to Brighton is hopefully on the cards!

What are you hoping this year brings for you?

More screen work would be fantastic, so I’m looking forward to what might come once Nye wraps in August. And fingers crossed – Brighton!

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