Welcome from Director Matthew Dunster

Seven years ago, I was sat in my kitchen talking to the writer, Gareth Farr about an idea he’d had to tell the story of IVF.

Both Gareth and I, together with our partners, were only able to have children thanks to IVF, and so this story is very personal to us. The story of Bob Edwards, Patrick Steptoe and Jean Purdy’s determination and vision in the face of unimaginable challenges has led to over 12 million babies being born; thousands of families being created. 

But they couldn’t have done any of it without an army of women from all over the UK whose immense bravery helped achieve the impossible and led to one of the most remarkable medical breakthroughs of our time. This play is a love letter to those women – many of whom would never go on to have children of their own, but who made it possible for Gareth, myself and many others to have their families. 

It’s a remarkable sacrifice, the impact of which last long into the future. The science has come a long way over the last five decades, but the success of IVF procedures is only half of the story. 

It’s not a happy-ever-after for countless people; for them, there is heartbreak and struggle and endless uncertainty. 

This is their story too.

We feel privileged to bring this new play to the stage. 

Matthew Dunster (director), A Child of Science

A Child of Science plays 5 Jun – 6 Jul