It has been announced that Tom Felton will star in the world premiere of Gareth Farr’s A Child of Science from 5th June – 6th July 2024.

A Child of Science is a fictionalised account of the true story of the events that led to the first ‘test-tube’ birth of a baby and the invention of IVF. The play is based on research and interviews over many years with embryologists and fertility doctors, some of whom worked closely with Bob Edwards, as well as those whose lives were affected by and enabled by those events. It features characters inspired by real-life individuals, and some entirely imagined by the writer.

In 1978, Patrick Steptoe, Robert Edwards, and Jean Purdy changed the world as we know it – and most people don’t even know their names.

Bruntwood Prize-winning writer (Britannia Waves the Rules) Gareth Farr’s brilliant new play tells their pioneering story, and those of the army of women from all over the UK whose immense bravery helped them achieve the impossible – to create human life in vitro.

A Child of Science charts the incredible events that led to one of the most remarkable medical breakthroughs of our time: the birth of a baby girl and the creation of IVF, a procedure which has supported the birth of over 12 million babies worldwide over the last forty years.

Directed by the highly acclaimed West End director Matthew Dunster (Hangmen, 2:22 A Ghost Story, Shirley Valentine) and featuring the award-winning Tom Felton (Harry Potter), A Child of Science is about determination, dreams, hope, and courage. It’s a celebration of life.

Tickets went on sale to the Circle Members of Bristol Old Vic on Thu 19 Oct. Tickets go on sale to the Thunder Members of Bristol Old Vic on Mon 23 Oct, Lavender Members of Bristol Old Vic on Tue 24 Oct and Orange Members of Bristol Old Vic on Wed 25 Oct.
Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Thu 26 Oct.

credit: Bristol Old Vic