Tony and Oscar winner Mark Rylance will return to the West End this summer in Dr. Semmelweis, a new play by Stephen Brown with Rylance, about maverick Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis.
Directed by Tom Morris, previews will begin at the Harold Pinter Theatre June 29 prior to an official opening July 11 for a limited engagement through October 7.
Rylance, who is reprising his work in the title role from the 2022 Bristol Old Vic production, says, "Here is a person who makes one of the most important discoveries in modern medicine—what we now call ‘Bacteria’—and yet he is pretty much unknown because for 40 years, until Louis Pasteur and Dr. Lister make the same discovery, no one will listen to him. Why?
“I was intrigued. The inspiration to act our story with a chorus of ballet dancers and a quartet representing the many thousands of mothers who perished unnecessarily, makes this a very powerful piece of theatre for me. I am thrilled to be reviving it in London at the Harold Pinter Theatre."
Based on an original idea by Rylance, the production will also have set and costume design by Ti Green, lighting design by Richard Howell, choreography by Antonia Franceschi, and music by Adrian Sutton.
Sonia Friedman Productions and the National Theatre present the Bristol Old Vic Production.
Visit DrSemmelweisThePlay.com.
