A TOURING theatre company that showcased a story of the old Worcester Royal Infirmary earlier this year has been given funding to take it on the road.

Worcester-based Vamos Theatre has received £40,000 from the Arts Council to take Nursing Lives to schools, theatres, village halls, community centres and residential homes from March.

The production brings to life true stories of World War Two nurses, doctors and patients at the old Infirmary in Castle Street.

Rachael Savage, artistic director, said: “The funding is fantastic news and a real vote of confidence for Vamos Theatre. Nursing Lives will be a full-mask production using visual inventiveness, live music and song, physical theatre and 1940s dance sequences with beautiful costumes and set. It will be perfect for audiences from eight to 80 years old and is suitable for schools at key stage two to sixth form.”

In September, Vamos was commissioned by the University of Worcester to research the old hospital archives. During the project, the theatre company worked with the George Marshall Medical Museum and members of the Local Nurses’ League to research, write and direct drama students in a production called Bedbaths and Bandages. This gave Vamos a chance to test material and get feedback from their audiences.

Nurse Clayson worked at the WRI in the 1950s and wrote to Vamos after seeing the production of Bedbaths and Bandages.

She said: “It was superb. I chuckled throughout as I recognised the portrayal of our stories.

“I counted at least 12 references which any nurse of my era would recognise.”

Schools and other venues wanting to book Nursing Lives should call Vamos Theatre on 01905 748249, e-mail info@vamostheatre. co.uk or visit vamostheatre. co.uk for more information.