Skip to content

Play

Dr Semmelweis

No ratings yet

Bristol Old Vic → Harold Pinter Theatre · 2022–23

A Viennese doctor sees why women are dying in childbirth, but persuading the medical establishment to change may cost him everything.

First Night is a theatre diary for logging the shows you've seen and discovering what to see next.

Productions

Past productions(1)

Drama
The story

In 19th-century Vienna, Dr Semmelweis recognises an invisible cause behind the deaths of women in childbirth. To stop it, he must convince colleagues to accept responsibility and change their medical practice. Instead, the establishment questions his methods, motives and sanity, while Semmelweis is haunted by the patients he could not save and becomes increasingly consumed by the fight to be believed.

In the room

A historical medical drama built around institutional resistance, scientific argument and the personal toll of trying to force change against an entrenched establishment.

Good fit if you like

medical history, institutional conflict, scientific breakthroughs and obsessive central figures.

Details

From 29 Jun 2023

Running time not recorded.

Recent logs

Cast & crew

Creative & crew(2)

We only have a few credits for this production.

Details are edited by First Night.

Spotted a bug? Got an idea? I'd love to hear it. This opens a quick email draft - takes 30 seconds.