Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol

Since the first IVF baby, Louise Brown, was born in 1978, over 12 million babies have been born by the procedure. Bristol resident Louise was in the audience for the premier of <a href="https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/a-child-of-science" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Child of Science</a>, a brand new play by award-winning writer Gareth Farr, directed by Matthew Dunster (2:22 A Ghost Story), running at the Bristol Old Vic until 6 July. Both men have been though IVF with their partners. This story is personal for so many in the room, and you can feel it.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Full-company-A-Child-of-Science_Bristol-Old-Vic_Helen-Murray_198.jpg" alt="A Child of Science" class="wp-image-97100" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Full-company-A-Child-of-Science_Bristol-Old-Vic_Helen-Murray_198.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Full-company-A-Child-of-Science_Bristol-Old-Vic_Helen-Murray_198-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Full-company-A-Child-of-Science_Bristol-Old-Vic_Helen-Murray_198-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Full-company-A-Child-of-Science_Bristol-Old-Vic_Helen-Murray_198-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Full-company-A-Child-of-Science_Bristol-Old-Vic_Helen-Murray_198-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Full company</figcaption></figure>



Covering 20 years of ground-breaking, and often unpopular, scientific discovery, combined with great personal sacrifice, the advent of IVF, with its labs and hospital beds, may seem a surprising subject for a night of entertainment. And the first half does contain a bit of necessary exposition. It’s engagingly done however, with some fabulous set design to keep us on our toes.



The 11-strong cast are reliably solid. Tom Felton (Harry Potter’s Malfoy!), convincing as single-minded lead scientist Robert Edwards, is now an actual grown-up actor, and to his credit there is no whiff of Slytherin here. Meg Bellamy is nuanced as underestimated nurse Jean Purdy assisting Edwards (fans of The Crown may recognise her as Kate Middleton). She has a poise that surely guarantees her stage future. Jamie Glover (Waterloo Road, Casualty) as Patrick Steptoe, the scientist developing laparoscopy, is haunted by the loss of a young female patient, reminding us that the sea of patriarchal bureaucracy that was 20th century medicine did also include some compassionate pioneers.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Tom-Felton-Robert-Edwards-Jamie-Glover-Patrick-Steptoe-Meg-Bellamy-Jeasn-Purdy-A-Child-of-Science_Bristol-Old-Vic_Helen-Murray_159.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-97092" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Tom-Felton-Robert-Edwards-Jamie-Glover-Patrick-Steptoe-Meg-Bellamy-Jeasn-Purdy-A-Child-of-Science_Bristol-Old-Vic_Helen-Murray_159.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Tom-Felton-Robert-Edwards-Jamie-Glover-Patrick-Steptoe-Meg-Bellamy-Jeasn-Purdy-A-Child-of-Science_Bristol-Old-Vic_Helen-Murray_159-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Tom-Felton-Robert-Edwards-Jamie-Glover-Patrick-Steptoe-Meg-Bellamy-Jeasn-Purdy-A-Child-of-Science_Bristol-Old-Vic_Helen-Murray_159-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Tom-Felton-Robert-Edwards-Jamie-Glover-Patrick-Steptoe-Meg-Bellamy-Jeasn-Purdy-A-Child-of-Science_Bristol-Old-Vic_Helen-Murray_159-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Tom-Felton-Robert-Edwards-Jamie-Glover-Patrick-Steptoe-Meg-Bellamy-Jeasn-Purdy-A-Child-of-Science_Bristol-Old-Vic_Helen-Murray_159-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tom Felton (Robert Edwards), Jamie Glover (Patrick Steptoe), Meg Bellamy (Jean Purdy). </figcaption></figure>



The fictionalised account of a true story takes us from Cambridge to Oldham and back again, wherever the funding is (and the prying reporters aren’t). Our trio battle with the medical establishment, the scare-mongering media, the Catholic Church, all of whom fear science “playing God”. The hopeful women who volunteer are given numbers rather than names to protect their identities, such is the strength of negative feeling around IVF. There is desperation and courage and a very real fear of violence and disgrace.



Adelle Leonce (Netflix’ Fool Me Again) brings a crucial emotional vulnerability as Patient 38, Margaret; we bet we’ll be seeing more of her. Leonce is from Cornwall, as are producers Gabby Vautier and Charlie Bunker of Impossible Producing; Casting Director Matilda James, Associate Director Alix Harris, as well as Farr and Dunster, so a real feast of West Country talent. Old Vic Artistic Director Nancy Medina seems to be keeping up the venue’s Cornish connection, as previously established with Kneehigh. Medina is also keeping true to her promise of support for new writing, so far so excellent.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Adelle-Leonce-Margaret-A-Child-of-Science_Bristol-Old-Vic_Helen-Murray_137-1.jpg" alt="A Child of science" class="wp-image-97095" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Adelle-Leonce-Margaret-A-Child-of-Science_Bristol-Old-Vic_Helen-Murray_137-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Adelle-Leonce-Margaret-A-Child-of-Science_Bristol-Old-Vic_Helen-Murray_137-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Adelle-Leonce-Margaret-A-Child-of-Science_Bristol-Old-Vic_Helen-Murray_137-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Adelle-Leonce-Margaret-A-Child-of-Science_Bristol-Old-Vic_Helen-Murray_137-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Adelle-Leonce-Margaret-A-Child-of-Science_Bristol-Old-Vic_Helen-Murray_137-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Adelle Leonce (Margaret)</figcaption></figure>



Haunting vocalists are projected onto screens (provided by volunteer singers who all have some relationship to IVF); a dimension which really works to personalise the science.



The direction is consistently tight, working well with an exciting set, but in the second half, when the emphasis moves from science to humanity, an emotional punch lands in slightly unexpected places.



This show gives the impression that it really matters to those involved; Tom Felton needs to seal his stage win of 2:22 A Ghost Story (looks like the director brought him with); it’s Meg Bellamy’s very promising stage debut; Gareth Farr has had writing success, but more is due. They’re totally giving it their all, and it’s paid off. This is an impressive piece of theatre, and the sheer conviction and professionalism of all involved make for a satisfying night out.



If you’ve never visited the Old Vic, it truly is a beaut. Go and give them the support they deserve – you won’t regret it!



Good for: Lovers of quality theatre.



Not for: A raucous night out.



<a href="https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/a-child-of-science" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Child of Science</a> is on at the Bristol Old Vic until 6 July.







Words: Rosie Meachin. 



Photos copyright: <a href="https://www.helenmurrayphotos.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Helen Murray</a>

Review: A Child of Science at the Bristol Old Vic

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