Dr Semmelweis
Harold Pinter Theatre
4.5/5 based on 17 reviews (read reviews)- Booking until: Friday, 6 October 2023
- Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes (with one interval)
Dr Semmelweis description
Dr Semmelweis – An unsung medical hero
Roll back time to before the pandemic, before covid hit and the world changed forever. Mark Rylance had an idea for a new play, revealing the life and times of the Hungarian genius Ignaz Semmelweis, mostly unknown today - but not for much longer. It’s on at the Harold Pinter Theatre for summer 2023 and runs for a strictly limited season. Dr Semmelweis theatre tickets are going to be desirable West End property so don’t miss your chance.
What's the story behind Dr Semmelweis?
Dr Semmelweis was the first to understand the importance of hand-washing in a medical context, realising it was a simple way to save lives by stopping infections. The story takes place in the 1800s but the doctor’s findings were ignored by Europe’s arrogant medical experts, whose egos wouldn’t let them admit the value of his work.
Rylance himself co-developed into the script with Stephen Brown, and when covid arrived in early 2020 the timing felt perfect. This play explores the horrors of the unseen organisms that can kill us, showing how prejudice and egotism was allowed to overcome discoveries and ultimately ended up limiting humanity.
The resulting play has received lots of critical acclaim and a host of four and five star reviews from the press. It’s on stage this summer at the Harold Pinter theatre and Rylance reprises the lead role. It’s no surprise Theatre tickets for Dr Semmelweis are predicted to sell out fast.
The play is created in association with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The Set and Costume Design is by Ti Green, the Lighting Design is by Richard Howell, Choreography is by Antonia Franceschi from Balanchine's New York City Ballet, and the music comes from Adrian Sutton.
About Dr Semmelweis
Tom Morris is responsible for this awe-inspiring production, played on a split-level set. Ballet dancers provide an eerie backdrop to the action and hand-washing is a powerful theme throughout. Dr Semmelweis, who finds it hard to handle people’s scepticism, becomes obsessed with washing his hands and eventually ends up in an asylum.
If he’d been taken seriously at the time countless thousands of lives could have been saved. As it is, his antiseptic washing ultimately became a feature of the covid pandemic, adopted in every country in the world.
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Starring
Mark Rylance
Playing at Harold Pinter Theatre
Age restrictions
Age Guidance 14 +. This production contains references to suicide, infant and maternal mortality, as well as detailed descriptions of operations, cadavers, and disease.
Important information
References to suicide, and infant and maternal mortality. The production is not able to guarantee the appearance of any specific actor due to illness or unforeseen circumstances.
Performance Times
Dr Semmelweis news
14Mar