Florence at Waterside

What do you think of when you hear about Florence Nightingale? Often referred to as ‘the Lady with the Lamp’, Florence Nightingale is the most famous nurse in history and revered as the founder of modern nursing.

This new one-woman show illuminates the lesser-known aspects of Florence Nightingale’s life.

This October, a new show – Florence – plays at Waterside and aims to put the myth of ‘the Lady with the Lamp’ under the spotlight. Surprising and inspiring, this new one-woman show illuminates the lesser-known aspects of Florence Nightingale’s life, and questions why many of her achievements are so often overlooked.

Created by singer-songwriter and theatre-maker Louise Jordan, the production features original songs and captivating storytelling.

Interestingly, during her life of 90 years, Florence Nightingale spent less than two years serving as a nurse in the Crimean War. Much of her pioneering work used data to call for government accountability and she also spent decades demanding equal healthcare for all. She became an advocate in many areas: hospital design, land irrigation and postal services for soldiers, all to advance her causes. It is her work as a statistician and a social reformer that is most striking, and the focus of this performance.

Created by singer-songwriter and theatre-maker Louise Jordan, the production features original songs and captivating storytelling. Exploring the legacy of Florence Nightingale, Jordan connects Florence’s work in the 19th century with some of the issues we continue to face today.

Of the show, Jordan says, “At a time when women weren’t entitled to vote Florence used every tool at her disposal to achieve change that impacted people living in poverty around the globe…Why are Florence Nightingale’s extraordinary and wide-ranging achievements so often overlooked? Who decides how our shared cultural heritage is passed on?”

The show runs at around 70 minutes and will be followed by a Q&A session.