Dr Semmelweis at the Harold Pinter Theatre
by Stephen Brown with Mark Rylance
Sonia Friedman Productions and the National Theatre present
the Bristol Old Vic production
Booking and details
Harold Pinter Theatre
Panton St, London SW1Y 4DN
We are the doctors of the modern age. We are marching into battle.
Mark Rylance returns to the West End as one of medicine’s greatest pioneers, maverick Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis – the man whose research could save many millions of mothers’ lives.
In Vienna, a city of artistic and scientific revolution, thousands of women are still dying in childbirth each and every year. Only Dr Semmelweis can see the invisible killer at work, but to stop it, he must convince his colleagues to admit culpability and approve change.
Damned by an establishment that questions his methods, his motives and even his sanity, Semmelweis is haunted by the women he has failed to save. Can he finally convince the greatest doctors of 19th Century Europe to accept his argument – and what will it cost him to make an almost impossible case?
Following a ‘smash hit’ (Mail on Sunday), sold-out run at Bristol Old Vic, this ‘compelling new drama’ (The Telegraph) directed by Tom Morris, featuring live music by Adrian Sutton and original choreography by Antonia Franceschi of Balanchine’s New York City Ballet, comes to the Harold Pinter Theatre in the West End for a strictly limited run this summer.
Performed Until 7 October 2023 in the Harold Pinter Theatre.
Reviews
From the Bristol Old Vic production
‘A smash-hit’
Mail on Sunday
‘Mark Rylance mesmerises in this unforgettable play’
The Observer
‘The rich layers of stagecraft and empathy in Morris’ beautifully bold production make Dr Semmelweis zing with acuity’
The Times
‘Mark Rylance is astonishing in this unsettling, atmospheric drama about the downfall of a pioneering doctor.’
Time Out
‘Mark Rylance is magnetic in urgent tale of scientific discovery’
Evening Standard
Production images
Suitability
Age guidance – 14+
This production contains references to suicide, infant and maternal mortality, as well as detailed descriptions of operations, cadavers, and disease.
Supporters
In association with
Cast
Roseanna Anderson
Marja Seidel / Baroness Maria-Teresa
Roseanna Anderson
Zoe Arshamian
Dance Ensemble
Zoe Arshamian
Helen Belbin
Understudy Maria Semmelweis / Anna Muller / Baroness Maria-Teresa
Helen Belbin
Joshua Ben-Tovim
Hospital Porter / Death
Joshua Ben-Tovim
Ewan Black
Franz Arneth
Ewan Black
Chrissy Brooke
Lisa Elstein
Chrissy Brooke
Haim Choi
Suk Hee Apfelbaum & Music Director / Violin 1
Haim Choi
Megumi Eda
Aiko Eda
Megumi Eda
Suzy Halstead
Violet-May Blackledge
Suzy Halstead
Felix Hayes
Ferdinand von Hebra
Felix Hayes
Jason Hogan
Understudy Franz Arneth / Jakob Kolletschka / Ferdinand von Hebra
Jason Hogan
Coco Inman
Sarah Schmidt & Violin 2
Coco Inman
Andrew McDonald
Understudy Johann Klein / Karl von Rokitansky
Andrew McDonald
Pauline McLynn
Anna Muller
Pauline McLynn
Jude Owusu
Jakob Kolletschka
Jude Owusu
Oxana Panchenko
Dance Ensemble
Oxana Panchenko
Mark Rylance
Ignaz Semmelweis
Mark Rylance
Shizuku Tatsuno
Oshizu Yukimura & Cello
Shizuku Tatsuno
Millie Thomas
Agnes Barta
Millie Thomas
Max Westwell
Hospital Porter / Death
Max Westwell
Amanda Wilkin
Maria Semmelweis
Amanda Wilkin
Alan Williams
For the National Theatre: Till the Stars Come Down, Faith, Hope and Charity (for A Zeldin Company), As You Like It, Here We Go, Light Shining in Buckinghamshire, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour and War Horse (also West End)
Daniel York Loh
Karl von Rokitansky
Daniel York Loh
Patricia Zhou
Dance Ensemble
Patricia Zhou
Kasia Zimińska
Eszter Horowitz & Viola
Kasia Zimińska
Production Team includes
Writer
Writer
Mark Rylance
Mark Rylance
Director
Tom Morris
Tom Morris
Tom Morris was Artistic Director of Bristol Old Vic and has been Associate Director of the National Theatre since 2004.
Set and Costume Designer
Ti Green
Ti Green
Designs for the National: The Revenger’s Tragedy, The Five Wives of Maurice Pinder, The UN Inspector and Coram Boy (also at the Imperial New York).
Lighting Designer
Richard Howell
Richard Howell
Choreographer
Antonia Franceschi
Antonia Franceschi
Antonia Franceschi is a Time Out Award Winner for Outstanding Achievement in Dance.
Music
Adrian Sutton
Adrian Sutton
Adrian is a composer and producer whose scores cross orchestral, chamber and electronic genres.
Dr Semmelweis ticket prices
Tickets from £10
Groups of 10+
Band A tickets at £42.50, Monday-Thursday only.
Schools/education rate
Bands C & D at £20 (1 teacher goes free per every 10 students), Mon – Thurs performances, Royal Circle and Balcony only.
Subject to availability.
https://www.atgtickets.com/groups/
0207 206 1174*
*Standard network charges apply
Assisted performances
- Captioned performance – Saturday 26 August 2.30pm
- Audio described performance – Saturday 12 August 2.30pm (TBC)
- BSL interpreted performance – Thursday 7 September 7.30pm
Access booking line: 0800 912 6971*
*Calls are free. Open 9am to 8pm Monday to Sunday, Bank holidays may vary.
