The Marvellous Adventures of Mary Seacole

Taking us from Jamaica to the carnage of the Crimea, this one-woman bio play tells the story of a fascinating and undersung Victorian figure.

Although best known for her actions during the Crimean war, where she established a hotel for wounded servicemen, Mary Seacole had fingers in many pies. She was a herbalist, businesswoman, traveller and bestselling author. And she blazed a trail for ethnic minorities—she was mixed race Scottish and Creole—at a time when equality was unimaginable. 

Adorned in blue dress and bright bonnet, Cleo Sylvestre gives a warm-hearted portrayal. She speaks in clear, measured tones, while injecting no shortage of humour. During an episode when Seacole is stricken with cholera she says, “I had to recover, I had my reputation to think of!” 

The play also highlights its subject’s parity with Florence Nightingale, despite her comparable lack of recognition. And it gives an insight into the extent to which the shrewd Seacole had to self-publicise in order to gain any sort of public profile.

The production, which has been touring for a number of years, is not the most original you'll see. As likeable a performer as Sylvestre is, this is pretty straightforward, by-numbers stuff. And it feels rather cramped on the tiny playing space. But it does shine a welcome and overdue spotlight on a true pioneer. She would surely have approved of the charity collection at the end.