Theatre of Debate: screening and Q&A

The Performing Arts Network is offering a chance to see a screening of Theatre of Debate's latest production A Picture of Health by Sudha Bhuchar and to hear about how Theatre of Debate combines theatre practice with science education.

This new play was written by award-winning playwright Sudha Bhuchar and was inspired by Irish painter Thomas Hickey's portrait 'The Three Queens of Mysore', which itself has been called "one of the most important scientific paintins in the history of medicie in India"

Directed by Nigel Townsend, the play tells of how the picture was commissioned to record the moment that a young Indian princess submitted to a test vaccination, uncertain of the effect it would have on her. It recalls a concerted mix of politics, power and persuasion by the East india Company to introduce the worlds first ever vaccine to India, their biggest colonial enterprise. It involved British surgeons, Indian variolators, scheming company bosses and friendly royals - none more so that the Wadiyars, indebted to the British who had restored them to the throne after more than 30 years of exile.

The play poses some challenging questons from history about colonialism, the role of art in recording events, how medical research is conducted, vaccination hesitancy, the development of new vaccines and the role of women in society.

Cast:

Adrian Paul Jeyasingham - Arjun/ Purnaiya

Rea Malhotra Mukhtyar - Rajamata Lakshmammani / Arjun’s mother

Nim Gill - Younger Queen Devajammani (YQ)/ Devika

John McAndrew - Thomas Hickey / Mark Wilks / Harry

Creative Team:

Nigel Townsend – Producer/Director

Debra Cougill - Associate Director

Andrew Hickling - Tour Producer

Rachana Jadhav – Designer

Steve Gregson - Photographer

Amy Pell - Social Media Manager

This event will last around an hour and 30 minutes, and the RSA's Muse bar will be open for those who wish to continue discussion after.

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