The Stage

Plymouth TR treated to NHS the Musical

Published Friday 31 March 2006 at 17:55 by Alistair Smith

A new musical telling the story of the National Health Service is set to premiere at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth in May.

NHS the Musical, which traces the organisation’s development from its birth to the present day, will run from May 11 to 27 in the Drum Theatre at the Theatre Royal. Written by the venue’s associate director Nick Stimson, the piece includes songs such as God Bless the NHS, The Morning Song of the Poor Hard-Pressed GP, and The Great Hospital Sweepstake.

Stimson commented: “In the research and writing of NHS the Musical we have had huge help from doctors, nurses, NHS administrators, patients and other NHS staff - all of whom were eager to tell their part of the story.

“The NHS is a great, sacred dream, a true mark of the civilisation of this country. A unique and huge institution that very few would wish to see abandoned, but an institution constantly facing a major battle for its very survival. NHS the Musical attempts to add to the great NHS debate by presenting startling facts and truths alongside the often comic and dramatic stories of those whose lives are inextricably bound to it.”

The show, which has music composed by Jimmy Jewell, includes lyrics such as: “The nature of existence is that you’re born to die / Though you may swallow vitamins and then detoxify / One day you’ll need the National Health this much we prophesy / They’ll find the pill when you’re feeling ill and try to rectify.”