One Sugar, Stirred to the Left

The play is based on my own experience. When my father went into a hospice for his final days, I learned so much more about life than I did about death, such was the love, kindness and compassion of the remarkable people who work there. They were a reminder that every moment, even our last, is a chance to make the most of life.

What’s it about?

Henry arrives at a Scottish hospice to see out his last days. There he meets the beautiful palliative nurse, Bronwyn, who gave up her singing career, having been inspired by the nurse who looked after her late sister. Unbeknownst to his son Justin, the stoic Henry has kept a book for fifty years in which he has written poems and lyrics about his life, his love for his late wife and his son (which he never expressed openly). The book was full of things he felt but could not say. Upon hearing Bronwyn singing and playing the piano in the cafe, he commissions her to write music to some of his lyrics/poetry, which will then form an album which can be given to Justin after his death. As Justin hears Bronwyn practicing these unknown songs, he starts to fall in love with her - he starts falling in love to the love songs his father wrote for his mother. Feeding into the narrative are a compassionate Indian doctor (Dr Choudry), a funny Glaswegian (Hamish) in the bed next to Henry, a dotty but insightful Tibetan tea lady (Amala) and the firm but kind-hearted Nurse Carole.

One Sugar, Stirred to the Left is an uplifting play which is a testament to life, love and the amazing people we entrust our last moments to. It is a reminder that profound moments can appear even in our last moments.

Jon Lawrence 2023