Nursing Stories, devised and performed by first-year theatre, acting and performance students at the University of Worcester, was inspired by interviews with members of the Worcester Royal Infirmary Nurses’ League.
The nurses were invited to the university earlier this year to share personal accounts of hospital life and nursing practice.
Five members of the league took part in conversations with students, who then worked collaboratively to create the performance as part of their community theatre module.
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Maxine Chong, chair of the Worcester Royal Infirmary Nurses’ League, said: “The performance was extremely accurate and captured the essence of nursing across the various time periods. The students should be commended.
“This powerful and emotive performance should be utilised as a learning tool and re-presented to all health practitioners. The themes are as relevant in contemporary practise as in the past.”
The nurses returned to the university earlier this week to watch the finished production. Students described the experience of performing in front of the women who inspired the show as both meaningful and nerve-wracking.
Jordan Dorsett said: “We wanted to do their stories justice, so performing in front of the nurses was really special for us.”
Marie Perndoka said: “It was quite nerve-wracking performing in front of the nurses, but it was great to work on this and to hear their stories.”
Alfie Price said: “It was really important to us that we approached their stories with sensitivity and respect, and it was good to hear their feedback afterwards to say that we had done that. It was really impactful working on this project.”
Nursing Stories was developed as part of the students’ community theatre module and explored themes that continue to resonate in healthcare today.