Miss Nightingale The Musical at the Vaults

“Having previously commuted through Waterloo for well over 4 years, I was intrigued and to be honest a little hesitant when my friend led me down a graffitied archway leading down The Vaults Theatre. I needn’t have been worried, what a treat I was in for! The eclectic entrance only adds to the experience of leading you into a different world, you can see why Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has been such a success here. As we walk into the Theatre we are taken past war time posts and memorabilia leading to the stage where a lone gentleman is playing the piano under the arches of the train station setting the stage and excitement for the show. I have to admit, during one of the first songs, you can blow on my whistle, I felt a little prudish at the tongue in cheek references and Miss Nightingale’s pearly queen outfit- complete with strategically placed buttons framing her lady garden. However, as the show quickly emerged as a complex love story and portrayal of life during the war, it became apparent that this was going to be much more than a cheesy theatrical show. Although, I did love the full on musical dance numbers! Set in the 1940’s, Miss Nightingale tells the story of Frank, the upper class war hero turned club owner, and his latest act – Maggie, her choreographer George and her controlling boyfriend come manager Tom. Maggie and the Polish/Jewish George have recently fled their beloved city Berlin to the relative safety of London and are trying to make it on the London club scene. As Maggie auditions for the club, it is revealed that that Frank and George have meet before in the back streets before George was dragged away by the police and beaten to save Frank from being arrested. Maggie is rebranded as Miss Nightingale and quickly become a star, whilst Frank and George grow closer. As Frank falls in love with George and they try to work out how their relationship will unfold, the show gives a real and honest insight into what it was like to be gay in the 1940’s. The double entendres and upbeat cheesy songs are a great interlude between the more serious stories of the characters lives, including the true life reminder of the 12 homosexual men who were arrested for indecency in Wales with two of them committing suicide (one just 19) during the trial. You have to remember why this type of cabaret show was so popular during the war, to distract from the horrific events happening outside of the Theatre walls. Indeed during one of the numbers you can hear a bombing taking place- I’ll say no more however as I wouldn’t want to give away any of the many twist and turns of the show. It is interesting to see Maggie (Miss Nightingale) balancing her career as a nurse and her emerging showgirl fame, standing firmly against Frank as he tries to convince her to give up her day job, that ‘all she does is empty bed pans anyway’. The cast are incredibly talented with the ability to switch between beautiful harmonies, playing a variety of musical instruments, dancing energetically to upbeat catchy numbers and before switching back to poignant acting. The 6 cast members effortless change between their characters and playing the roles of band members. Some of my favourite songs including their amazing ability to be all singing together at the same time, but each telling their own personal story, creating an atmospheric tune resonating throughout the whole theatre. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and haven’t been able to stop singing many of the tunes all weekend, surely a sign of a great musical! The show is on until 20th May – get down there whilst you can!”

Tarabeth Wood

“A beautiful story, brilliant actors and hilarious songs. Hidden behind Waterloo Station in the Vaults Theatre the WW2 based story, Miss Nightingale, is brought to life. The hokey pokey theatre is the perfect location for this one set stage production – with only 6 actors, all playing various instruments throughout, there wouldn’t be any more time for set changes. There are enough costume changes as it is for Miss Nightingale, all of which add glamour to the production, which the saucy songs stomp all over. The story is based around 3 main characters trials in love and life. In to this is woven some comedy – carefully done – and fabulous musical numbers. Each song was either fun or fraught and sung brilliantly – not one weak link from the actors. This musical is a must see before it finishes it’s London stint at the end of May.”

Lizzie Williamson

“Chocks Away, is what I say about this nice little war time gem of a musical. Set in world war 2 playing at London’s Waterloo underground ‘Vaults’ a rollercoaster ride of up and down laughter and sadness throughout the show telling the story of Miss Nightingale who happens to be in the middle of war time romances of her current lover and her manager, I don’t want to give to much away about the play to spoil it but this show was for me very funny and original with saucy sexy innuendo songs and jokes throughout. One thing I liked about the Vaults was it was decorated in 1940’s. Memorabilia with giant war time posters and old items including costumes in the seating area for you to look at and read old magazines from the wartime era before the start of the show and during the interval. So don’t dilly dally on the way….. book your seats today and have a blast from the past with this spectacular show!”