Play reveals story behind nurse in painting on display in Wolverhampton
A new play will aim to raise awareness of a classic painting and the story of the woman behind it.
"Nurse Brown from Jamaica" is a story about the Nurse Brown portrait, which currently resides inside Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
The portrait was part of the 2020 Wolverhampton Literature Festival at an event, with playwright and historian Jefny Ashcroft taking a lead in presenting history and facts about the painting.
It has been filmed and played as part of the festival on Monday, before being available to watch on a week-long viewing.
Mrs Ashcroft has now written a play which, she says, was originally a homage to the painting and the nurse in it, but had become more influenced by Covid and the role of black doctors and nurses.
She said: "The painting is so unusual and the personality behind it is so incredible that I was inspired to write the play.
"As the pandemic began to grow, we all saw there are so many black nurses in the health services, with a lot of them more likely to become ill as a result.
"The play isn't agit-prop, it's a well-rounded look at a real individual based on a fantastic painting that the gallery is proud of.
"But it pulls no punches and has a message for, amongst others, black community members in Wolverhampton."
The play will star Jannette Barrett, a black drama professional and also a community nurse in West Bromwich, with Mrs Ashcroft playing a small part in the play.
To find out more and to watch the play, go to wolvesliteraturefestival.co.uk/events/jefny-ashcroft-play-on-nurse-brown.html
