Louise Brown - the world's first IVF baby - dropped into rehearsal at Bristol Old Vic last night to meet the cast of A Child of Science, the world premiere production telling the story of the creation of IVF by pioneers Patrick Steptoe, Robert Edwards and Jean Purdy, and the army of women whose bravery helped them achieve the impossible.
Louise has lived in Bristol all her life and was delighted when she heard the show was to be staged in her home town.
While visiting Bristol Old Vic, Louise Brown said: “I am very excited that A Child of Science is having its world premiere at the Bristol Old Vic – my home city. Although the science behind IVF was all carried out in Cambridge and Oldham my mum and dad were proud Bristolians and they were the first to have a baby successfully when I was brought into the world and I have lived here all my life.
“It is strange when your birth is the subject of a drama like this, but this is really about the amazing pioneers Bob Edwards, Patrick Steptoe and Jean Purdy and the work they did that has led to 12 million people being born worldwide.
I’m proud to be the first “child of science” and I’m looking forward to seeing how Tom Felton portrays Bob Edwards, who I knew well and hope that the production raises awareness of all the work that still goes on to help people overcome infertility.”
Louise who is now a figurehead and passionate advocate for fertility, will also be taking part in a Stage Talk with A Child of Science writer Gareth Farr at Bristol Old Vic on Wed 26 Jun. A Child of Science | Stage Talk | Bristol Old Vic
Jamie Glover plays obstetrician ‘Patrick Steptoe’ (Waterloo Road; Casualty – both BBC; Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – West End). Meg Bellamy ('Kate Middleton" – The Crown – Netflix) plays embryologist ‘Jean Purdy’ in her theatrical debut. Tom Felton (2:22 A Ghost Story – Criterion Theatre; 'Draco Malfoy' – Harry Potter film series) is the medical maverick ‘Robert Edwards’.
Adelle Leonce plays ‘Margaret’, (Fool Me Once – Netflix; Bagman – Lionsgate; Black Mirror: Crocodiles – Netflix) and Sonoya Mizuno (La La Land; Annihilation with Natalie Portman; Crazy Rich Asians; Devs – FX/BBC2) plays roles including philanthropist ‘Lillian Lincoln Howell’ and ‘Sheena Steptoe’.
The cast is completed by Saikat Ahamed (Bristol Old Vic Associate Artist, credits include Life of Pi – Wyndhams Theatre; Peter Pan – National Theatre; The Miser – Garrick Theatre; Arabian Nights, A Christmas Carol, Treasure Island – all Bristol Old Vic), Gruffudd Glyn (Joseph K and the Cost of Living – National Theatre Wales; Brave New World – Royal & Derngate; Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, Julius Caesar – all RSC), Bobby Hirston (The Play That Goes Wrong – The Duchess Theatre/National Tour; Shandyland – Old Vic 12), Amy Loughton (Animal – Park Theatre & UK tour; Crackers – Polka Theatre; Romeo & Juliet – Southwark Playhouse; Henry Vand The Tempest – Shakespeare Rose Theatre, York), Bebe Sanders (Twelfth Night – Orange Tree; 3 Winters – National Theatre; White Fang – Park Theatre) and Everal A Walsh (Rockets and Blue Lights – National Theatre, Royal Exchange Manchester; A Christmas Carol – Leeds Playhouse; Amadeus, The Amen Corner and The Comedy of Errors – National Theatre).
