Towards the end of Gareth Farr’s A Child of Science, there is a poignant and heartbreaking scene that resonates deeply with the audience. Huddersfield housewife Margaret, known as Patient 38 and portrayed brilliantly by Adelle Leonce, receives devastating news with remarkable grace, leaving many in tears. The play sensitively explores the development of IVF, an emotive and significant subject for many.
Unfortunately, the rest of the play feels somewhat routine in its fictionalized account of the events leading to the first IVF birth in 1978. The focus is on Robert Edwards, Patrick Steptoe, and Jean Purdy, played with command by Tom Felton, Jamie Glover, and Meg Bellamy respectively, who pioneered the technique. The brisk pace, dynamic stage design by Anna Fleischle, and ensemble performances create a fluid production.
Despite the play’s importance, the depiction of men in research and scientific debates can feel repetitive and lacking in liveliness. The exploration of the fundamental and miraculous aspects of life through science falls short of the compelling narratives of secondary characters. Female characters are present but often as placeholders for other themes, with the challenges of class and the role of working-class women in medical research only briefly touched upon.
These women’s desires and complexities are overshadowed by their husbands’ achievements, and their voices are not fully explored until later in the play. While the play touches on important themes, the focus on male researchers and the limited development of female characters may leave some audience members wanting more depth and complexity.