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  • Matron and her team
  • Dickie sits in bed
  • Three nurses washing hands
  • Pete pours tea from a flask
Nursing Lives
#nursinglives

About the show

A heart-warming wartime tale of bravery and love

When Flo, a feisty seventy-something, learns that the hospital she trained at during the Second World War is being demolished, she decides to take one last look – and stop the bulldozers in their tracks. Her illicit visit becomes a personal celebration of friendship, courage, adventure and romance. But is what Flo remembers really the truth, or is history ready to be re-written?
 
Nursing Lives is a love story set in the early 1980s of Thatcher’s Britain, and takes us back to the hard-working, heart-breaking, swing-dancing world of the UK’s wartime hospitals.

This show is accessible to deaf and hearing audiences alike.

Funders: Arts Council England, Worcestershire County Council.

Production details

LATEST CAST

Richard J. Fletcher: 1980s: Pete/1940s: Johnny, Dick, Timmy, Old Man
James Greaves: 1980s: Old Flo/1940s: Matron, Dick, Mother
Marissa Gunter: 1980s: Jas/1940s: Fanny, Timmy, Dick, Usherette, Postie, GI Joe
Sarah Hawkins: 1940s: Young Flo

PRODUCTION TEAM

Writer/Director: Rachael Savage
Composer/Sound Editor: Janie Armour
Set/Costume Designer: Carl Davies
Mask Maker: Russell Dean
Dramaturg: Alan Riley
Choreographer: Rachael Alexander
Lighting Designer: Chris Barham
Set Builder: Gavin Lewery
Costume Supervisor/Maker: Hannah Marshall

OTHER INFO

RUNNING TIME
75 minutes plus interval

FUNDERS
Arts Council England
Worcestershire County Council

SUITABILITY
Over 12 years

Trailer

Reviews

There is something just so tender and compassionate with the work of Vamos. They understand not only what makes us work as people , the very essence of humanity if you like, but also how best to portray that in a theatrical way. Given the added fact that there is no dialogue just gesture, it is easy to see why Vamos are the best in the business.

Click here to read the full review Owen Lewis, Love Shropshire

The company has built up a strong following in its nine-year history – this production will not disappoint its enthusiasts and will charm newcomers… hugely rewarding.

Click here to read the full review Diane Parkes, The Stage

Nursing Lives was a tour de force– something every aspiring director should watch to understand what can be achieved through physical expression and movement.

Duncan Hall, The Argus

This is an intricate and tremendous piece of theatre that relies on great physicality to story tell, rather than spoken word. It’s a triumph for Vamos Theatre, and a must see. It really is that good.

Click here to read the full review Dan D. English, The Public Reviews

Touching and humorous in equal measure.

Click here to read the full review Lee Stevens, Latest 7, Brighton

 It really is a lovely show - lots and lots of laughs ... and what a fantastic soundtrack!