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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

Mark Rylance stares straight at us, arms folded, holding a scalpel. Behind him, a blurred image of women dressed in white, dancing.

Booking and details

29 June — 7 October 2023
This show has now ended
The event location is

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

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

Alfred P Sloane Foundation logo

Cast

Production Team includes

Writer

Stephen Brown

Stephen Brown

Writer

Mark Rylance

Director

Tom Morris

Tom Morris

Set and Costume Designer

Ti Green

Ti Green

Lighting Designer

Richard Howell

Choreographer

Antonia Franceschi

Antonia Franceschi

Music

Adrian Sutton

Adrian Sutton

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.

Press interviews with cast members

Artwork photography by Geraint Lewis