Black Hole Sign

A moving, funny and forensic examination of life and death in the NHS today, by practising nurse and playwright Uma Nada-Rajah.

How do they take their tea?

On the longest night shift of the year, a hole appears in the roof of a crumbling and understaffed A&E department.

Senior Charge Nurse Crea strives to deliver safe and effective care while porter Billy angles after a date.

Are they hydrated? Are they oxygenated? Are they motivated? Is the medical care they are receiving in line with their values and desires? Do they have meaningful support in their lives? Has the dog been left alone in the house? How do they take their tea?

On the longest night shift of the year, a hole appears in the roof of a crumbling and understaffed A&E department.

Senior Charge Nurse Crea strives to deliver safe and effective care while porter Billy angles after a date. Staff Nurse Ani juggles her bursting caseload, knowing that no one is at Mr Hopper's bedside for his final moments. Septuagenarian Tersia is trapped in a disco-fuelled fever dream, while a disgruntled Fred Turnbull prepares his strongly worded complaint. And student nurse Lina has No. Idea. What. Is. Going. On.

A forensic examination of life and death within the NHS, Black Hole Sign opened at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow, in September 2025 and transferred to the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, in October 2025.