A powerful new theatre production is set to shine a spotlight on the lives of NHS nurses, bringing their raw and often overlooked experiences to audiences across the UK. Tending, a verbatim play crafted from over 70 interviews conducted with frontline nurses over two years, opens at London’s Riverside Studios on 15th April, with its press night following on 16th April. Written by El Blackwood and directed by John Livesey, the show weaves together the real-life testimonies of nurses into the stories of three characters: a palliative care nurse, a paediatric ICU nurse, and an A&E nurse. Through their voices, the play explores why they entered the profession, what their working days entail, and the emotional extremes they navigate, from the grim realities of bad smells to the tender moments of supporting grieving families.
This production, presented by Anther Theatre, is more than a theatrical experience; it is a heartfelt tribute to the NHS and an urgent call for reform. The play lays bare the pressures facing nurses, highlighting a system stretched thin and the toll it takes on those who sustain it. With the NHS long a cornerstone of British life and a perennial political flashpoint, Tending arrives at a critical moment. Recent figures reveal a 43% increase in nurses leaving the profession within a decade of registering between 2021 and 2024, according to the Royal College of Nursing. Meanwhile, a 2021 study by the International Council of Nurses warned that up to 13 million nurses could be needed globally to address shortages exacerbated by the Covid pandemic and other strains.
Inspired by Blackwood’s best friend, a paediatric nurse, Tending first captivated audiences at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year, earning praise for its compassionate and masterful storytelling. Now, the production embarks on a wider tour, with stops at Theatre Royal Bath on 11th and 12th April and The North Wall in Oxford on 1st and 2nd May, before its London run. Partnering with The Cavell Trust, a charity supporting nurses and midwives, the play amplifies its mission to ensure these vital workers feel seen and heard.
Anther Theatre, an award-winning company known for bold, politically charged work, champions documentary theatre that draws from real-life narratives. Blackwood, trained on the John Burgess Playwriting Course, and Livesey, a seasoned director with credits from the European Theatre Convention, lead the charge. Their collaboration transforms the nurses’ stories into a compelling hour-long performance, suitable for those aged 16 and above, that promises to provoke thought and stir emotion.
Riverside Studios, a cultural hub with a storied history of hosting groundbreaking art, provides an apt home for Tending’s London premiere. The venue’s legacy of nurturing innovative theatre aligns with the play’s ambition to spark change. As the NHS grapples with limited resources and financial woes, Tending asks a poignant question: who will care for the carers when the system falters? This production not only celebrates the resilience of nurses but also urges society to confront the cracks in a cherished institution.
