Songwriter and performer, Louise Jordan, brings her solo production Florence: The Lesser Known Life and Legacy of Florence Nightingale to MAST Mayflower Studios tomorrow (12 April).
Through song and storytelling, Louise puts the myth of the ‘Lady with the Lamp’ under the spotlight and explores Florence Nightingale’s work as a pioneering statistician who used data to call for government accountability, demanding equal healthcare for all.
“Florence Nightingale spent less than two years as a nurse during the Crimean War, yet she lived to the age of ninety,” explains Louise. “Whilst researching the production I was astounded at the volume and breadth of Florence’s work – she spent decades campaigning for social reform worldwide.
“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.”
Florence explores themes which sit at the heart of all of Louise’s work – equality, representation and social justice.
“I want this show to bring Florence Nightingale to life as a three-dimensional human, and to consider how legends, myths are legacies are created,” she adds.
“Why are Florence Nightingale’s extraordinary and wide-ranging achievements so often overlooked, and who decides how our shared cultural heritage is passed on?”
The production was created in 2019 and originally due to tour in May 2020 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth.
Tickets for Florence are on sale at mayflowerstudios.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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- Picture: Fyrefly Studios.