A beautifully crafted hour of honest and heartfelt storytelling that gently breaks your heart and then puts it back together again.
Set in a stripped back NHS setting with nothing more than three chairs, a blind, and a whole lot of truth, Tending follows three nurses from different departments — palliative care, paediatrics, and A and E — as they share stories drawn from over seventy real life interviews with frontline NHS workers. But this is not a dry documentary. It is alive with warmth, wit, and real voices that deserve to be heard.
Under the thoughtful direction of John Livesey, Tending feels natural, intimate, and deeply connected. Livesey allows the performers to shine while keeping the storytelling grounded and true to its heart. The pacing is perfect, letting the emotional beats land while also giving space for moments of humour to breathe.
Ben Lynn, Anjelica Serra, and El Blackwood are an exceptional trio. Their chemistry is effortless, their storytelling is authentic, and their delivery is full of heart. Whether it is a moment of ridiculous dark humour about smells on the job or a quiet reflection on grief and loss, they carry it all with care. Each performer shines in their own way, but together they create something deeply intimate and grounded.
There is a surprising amount of laughter. Real, belly kind. As well as moments that bring the room to complete stillness. One monologue in particular had the audience holding its breath, and the final few lines left more than a few people wiping their eyes.
The design is refreshingly minimal and that is exactly what makes it work. No distractions, no clutter, just honest storytelling. The lighting and sound gently support the emotional shifts without ever demanding attention. It is all tastefully done.
This show is a love letter to the NHS, yes, but not the overly polished picture perfect version. This is the raw, funny, flawed, deeply human one. It speaks up for the people behind the uniforms and asks the big question. Who looks after the carers when they are the ones falling apart?
Tending is quietly powerful, incredibly moving, and full of soul. A standing ovation kind of show, told with care and courage. If you are lucky enough to catch it, do. You will leave a little more grateful, a little more thoughtful, and a lot more in love with the people who keep the system going.
Tending runs until 4th May at Riverside Studios.