Point of View

The play’s use of point of view is central to how it constructs Nye’s legacy, shaping both the audience’s understanding of his achievements and the complexities of his character. The majority of the play is told from Nye’s perspective, as scenes from his life unfold as recollections or hallucinations during his final hours in the hospital. This subjective framing means that the audience sees events largely through Nye’s eyes, experiencing his struggles, triumphs, and motivations as he perceives them. His personal narrative is deeply intertwined with his political ideals, and as a result, the play often leans into his vision of himself as a working-class hero fighting for justice. This perspective reinforces his role as a crusader for the NHS but also runs the risk of presenting him in an overly idealized light.

The play makes an attempt to balance...