'A Child of Science' at the Bristol Old Vic is 'imaginatively staged, wonderfully acted'

“A Child of Science” is a fascinating, insightful, and engaging retelling of a momentous medical breakthough as three scientists developed the techniques to create “test tube” babies and In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) that has benefited so many families around the world since its first successful deployment in 1978.

Writer Gareth Farr’s brilliant new play at the Bristol Old Vic tells the pioneering story of Robert Edwards, Patrick Steptoe and Jean Purdy’s creation of IVF, and the army of women whose bravery helped them achieve the impossible. It is told in a cinematic, episodic, fast-paced narrative covering locations in London, Cambridge and Oldham from 1958 to that famous birth of Bristol-based Louise Brown, who was at the performance.

The story starts with a dramatic and shocking reminder of the horrors of backstreet abortions in the 1950’s by “butchers”, which spurred Patrick Steptoe to campaign for change in the techniques and bedside manner of dealing with gynaecological issues and ends with that caesarean section birth.

The play spans 20 years of scientific resolve and immense personal bravery, but entirely transcends time and geography. Faced with fierce criticism and hostility and hounded by the media for “playing God”, trials were kept largely under wraps. Besides that, there are enough fits and starts, pushbacks and set-backs, to keep the theatre audience gripped.

Their determination to give hope to the thousands of families struggling to conceive eventually led to one of the most remarkable medical breakthroughs of our time: the birth of a baby girl and the creation of IVF, a procedure which has supported the birth of over 12 million babies worldwide over the last 45 years.

The key people are physiologist Robert Edwards, obstetrician Patrick Steptoe and embryologist Jean Purdy. None of the trio are still with us; Edwards (awarded a Nobel Prize) was the last to go, in 2013. Their achievement is traced in an unsensational fashion, albeit a bustling one in Matthew Dunster’s production, with its kaleidoscopic design of moving glass panels and stirring choir made up of those with an IVF-related backstory.

Jamie Glover conveys the caring and benevolent Patrick Steptoe who, with a steely determination, developed the laparoscopy technique essential for the success of the IVF, and yet deeply cared for the way his female patients were treated. His presence and punchy voice make Steptoe an endearing, winning figure throughout, and his scenes intersperse with the work of Robert Edwards, who moves from mammalian lab work to human tissue.

Steptoe became widely seen as the pioneer of the process yet the play reveals that Edwards’ (played by Tom Felton) obsessive endeavour to create life from an egg through to forming a blastocyst was the crucial breakthrough. The relationship between the two men is held together by the wonderful Jean Purdy (a lovely performance from Meg Bellamy) who plays vital roles in the breakthroughs.

Our earliest impressions of Edwards is of a man who can barely tear himself away from squinting into a microscope. Felton is brilliant as Bob, bringing a single-mindedness and constant tension to his work alongside burgeoning assistant Purdy. Even more compelling is that we follow the story of Margaret (Adelle Leonce) and Trevor (Bobby Hirston) from their first meeting to her tenth and final IVF cycle as patient 38. They brilliantly capture the love and desire for a child, the heartbreak of not being able to conceive and desperation and tensions created by the IVF process.

This gives the story real heart and emotional connection which reinforces the storytelling and significance of the breakthrough. Writer Gareth Farr was inspired to tell the tale following conversations with an embryologist during his and his partner’s own IVF journey.

This is a brilliantly written play, imaginatively staged, wonderfully acted by a cast of eleven in multiple roles, tight direction from Matthew Dunster, and Anna Fleischle’s set design working in terrific tandem to create seamless transitions and dazzling depth.

A Child of Science is at Bristol Old Vic from June 5-July 6 at 7.30pm, with additional 2.30pm matinee shows on Thursday and Saturday. Tickets are available from www.bristololdvic.org.uk.

A CHILD OF SCIENCE, THEATRE

Wed 5 Jun – Sat 6 Jul

Bristol Old Vic and Impossible Producing present

Times: 7.30pm, 2.30pm (Sat & Thu mat)

Tickets: from £10 (plus concs)

2hr 30min (incl interval)

Age 12+