HOW TO BE IMMORTAL

On Friday 21 and Saturday 22 February theatre-goers and scientists are being invited to visit Live Theatre to discover the fascinating true story of Henrietta Lacks, an African-American woman whose cells (from her cancerous tumour) were cultured without her permission in 1951 to create the first known human immortal cell line for medical research, in a new play How to be Immortal. Writer Mira Dovenri cleverly weaves together two different stories contemplating immortality. They are set in different centuries: the true story of Henrietta Lacks and her immortal cancer cells in the 1950s, and a young couple in the present who derive a smidgen of hope from her story.  A third story explores one of the most extraordinary advances in science: the mapping of DNA. Presented by Penny Dreadful the play, which is directed by Kirsty Housley (who was the winner of the inaugural Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award and Northern Stage’s Title Pending Award in 2011), was created in collaboration with scientists from UCL and Manchester University and includes original music based on a sound code interpreting DNA.  The show blends science and human emotion in a unique exploration of the theme of coping with life after losing a loved one. Mira Dovreni’s interest in DNA began when she co-devised the show Genetics for Blondes for Soho Theatre where she knitted a chromosome, extracted DNA live on stage and sniffed audience members’ armpits to test their genetic suitability (never fails). This is where she first started to wonder what DNA actually did. Following Friday night’s performance audiences will be able to meet the cast Clare Perkins, who recently finished a season in EastEnders playing the popular character Ava Hartman, Anna-Helena McLean and John McKeever as well as the director Kirsty Housley for a free event.  They will be joined by senior biomedical research scientist Dr Steven Laval, from the Institute of Genetics, and Dr Pauline McCormack, a research associate from the Policy, Ethics & Life Sciences Research Centre, to talk about the issues raised in the play. The event will be hosted by Steve Gilroy, Director of Performing Arts Programmes at Northumbria University and an Associate Director at Live Theatre. Penny Dreadful’s past productions have achieved critical acclaim and sold‐out houses. The company explores forgotten figures from history, telling stories that are more complex and fascinating and definitely stranger than fiction. Tickets cost £14 to £10, £12 to £10 for over 60s and £5 concessions. For more information or to buy tickets for How to be Immortal visit www.live.org.uk or contact the box office on (0191) 232 1232.