An Experiment With An Air Pump
Forthcoming production from local theatre group, St Michael's Players
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The Autumn production from St Michael's Players continues their ethos of presenting plays that challenge.
"An Experiment with An Air Pump" is a drama dealing with the ethics of science and women scientists at the turn of two significant centuries.
In 1799 Newcastle Joseph Fenwick, a radical forward-looking physician and scientist carries out experiments while his neglected wife consoles herself with brandy, his twin daughters feud, and one of his two assistants attempts to seduce the deformed maidservant. In the same house in 1999, Ellen, an eminent geneticist, is torn between ethical doubts and the lure of a new job offering a significant and much-needed increase in salary. A gruesome discovery under the kitchen floor adds further complications.
Director Bryony Wilman says, “This is a thought-provoking and moving play. It demonstrates the differences in attitude towards ethics, towards women, towards science and towards women in science in two different eras - how much has changed and, sadly, how much hasn’t. The characters are convincing, with their complexities slowly revealed. Having the same actors playing the main roles in both eras underlines the differences and similarities.”
The play is being performed at St Michael’s Centre, Elmwood Road, Chiswick, W4 3DY from 16-19 October. Tickets cost from £8 (£12 on the door) and can be purchase at www.stmichaelsplayers.org.
Warning: This play contains adult themes and some strong language
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October 1, 2019
