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Photograph 51 in London
Starring:
Nicole Kidman
Photograph 51 - The story
Nicole Kidman, no stranger to London's West End stage, returns to London in autumn 2015 to play the lead role in Anna Ziegler’s powerful play revealing the life and times of the relatively unknown female scientist who played a critical role in discovering DNA, Rosalind Franklin.
Why 'Photo 51'? It's the name of the X Ray diffraction image of DNA taken by Raymond Gosling during May 1952, when he was working with Franklin as a PhD student at King's College London. The image proved to be crucial in pinning down the actual structure of DNA.
James Watson, now world famous for he and Francis Crick's DNA discoveries, was shown the image by a man called Maurice Wilkins, without Franklin's knowledge. He, Crick and Watson used the photo to develop their chemical model of the DNA molecule and, in 1962, their work netted them a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The role of Rosalind Franklin, who had died four years before, was never even acknowledged, never mind celebrated.
The wonderful Michael Grandage directs this excellent play and Nicole Kidman will play Rosalind Franklin. It's something to look forward to since she caused such a positive stir in the marvellous play 'The Blue Room', which was a smash hit at the Donmar Warehouse before transferring to Broadway. And Kidman and Grandage have worked together before, on the movie 'Genius', which also bodes well for a top quality production.
Anna Ziegler was commissioned to write the piece by the Active Cultures theatre in Maryland, USA, and it eventually went on to win a science-led prize in 2008 for plays about science and technology. The play runs from 5th September to 21st November at the Noel Coward theatre, home to his exceptional 2014 season.
Would Rosalind Franklin have figured out the structure of DNA on her own, from the data she collected? We'll never know. But in the years since her death her role, and those of Crick and Watson, have been up for debate. The fact that Watson included a wholly negative caricature of Franklin in his own history of the research on DNA structure, The Double Helix, indicates the famous duo were keen to discredit her. Hopefully this play will help put the record straight and give one of the world's finest 20th century female scientists her due.
Photograph 51 – A controversial play that puts history right
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Photograph 51 Official Theatre Tickets
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Photograph 51 Ticket Information
- Booking until:
Thursday, 12 November 2015
- Running time:
1 hour 40 minutes (No Interval. Latecomers will not be admitted)
- Important Information
Tickets will be dispatched two weeks before the performance date.
Please note that Photograph 51 runs without an interval and latecomers will not be admitted once the performance has begun. Please arrive at the theatre in plenty of time, the theatre bars will be open prior to the performance, opening at approximately 6pm or 1.45pm for the matinee.
Captioned performance Saturday 24 October 15 3.00pm and Audio Described performance Saturday 7 November 15 3.00pm
- Cancellations & Refunds
Once booked, tickets to Photograph 51 are usually non exchangeable and non refundable as per our terms & conditions. In practice, however, we will do our best to accommodate your request as long as we are notified at least 48 hours before the performance. Please contact us for more information.
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Photograph 51 reviews
What to expect:
ActingMusic
Costumes
Story
Lighting
- Recommended for:
- Theatregoers (93%)
Latest customer reviews
All reviews are from customers who have been invited to leave a review just after seeing Photograph 51.
Please note the reviews below are from an old production of Photograph 51.
verified
excellent show!It was an excellent show from.beginnig to end! Some of the dialogue was necessarily scientific, which people from a non - medical or scientific background may find hard to follow, although I don't think it would detract from the overall enjoyment. I thought all.actors.were superb, and the play was well written and was generally true to the facts.
S Reviewed on 21 November 2015 by Susan
Isleworth, United Kingdom
verified
SensationalThe lighting was inspirational, the acting had depth and belief. Highly recommended
L Reviewed on 21 November 2015 by Laura
Highworth, United Kingdom
verified
Thought-provoking, honest charactersEvery character was a mixture; the egos, the frustrations (particularly of women in science and young researchers), their arrogance and insecurities and faults and strengths. This makes the play fascinating and the story of the discovery of the double helix structure a lesson. I think this play will come back to me on many occasions. The actors were brilliant.
E Reviewed on 11 November 2015 by Ellie
Muswell Hill, United Kingdom
verified
N/Aenjoyable but certainly not the play one must not miss
C Reviewed on 07 November 2015 by Conchita
London, United Kingdom
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A must seeT Reviewed on 05 November 2015 by Trish
London, United Kingdom
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Outstanding theatre!The play was interesting, dramatic and moving.
A Reviewed on 26 October 2015 by Amanda
Meols, United Kingdom
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Nicole Kidman is excellent, and her interpretation of Rosalind Franklin remarkable and life-true!
S Reviewed on 24 October 2015 by Susanna
Geneva, Switzerland
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Excellent performance by NicoleThe performance of Nicole and the play was excellent , but people should be banned from eating inside the theatre and cause nuisance to the rest if us
M Reviewed on 23 October 2015 by Maria
London, United Kingdom
verified
Historically interestingNicole's performance was pivotal to the success and the storytelling devices were successful. The purpose, to tell Risslind's own story was achieved well.
J Reviewed on 21 October 2015 by Julie
Abbotsford, Australia
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Excellent acting, interesting story, good rythmJ Reviewed on 18 October 2015 by Jacques A
Montreal, Canada
verified
SuperbF Reviewed on 15 October 2015 by Filipe
Victoria Docks, United Kingdom
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SuperbSuperb performance by Nicole Kidman and cast - try and get a ticket, if you can! Inspiring story.
N Reviewed on 13 October 2015 by Nicola
London, United Kingdom
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Thought provokingD Reviewed on 08 October 2015 by Donna
Dartford, United Kingdom
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Excellent and very believableT Reviewed on 06 October 2015 by Tania
Riverview, Australia
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Absorbing story, wonderfully coordinated and performedD Reviewed on 06 October 2015 by Dale
Austin, United Kingdom
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definite must see!!!A Reviewed on 03 October 2015 by Angeliki
Hamilton, New Zealand
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Nicole Kidman was awesomeMs Kidman is an awesome actress. She gives a master class in how it's done. Interesting story brought to life
C Reviewed on 02 October 2015 by Craig
Burlington, Canada
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Very realThe acting was superb and it got better the further into the play, it really made you believe in the story and you got caught up in the emotion.
V Reviewed on 01 October 2015 by Vinette
Bisley, United Kingdom
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Strong female role.Great historical context with strong messages of hope and relationships.
C Reviewed on 01 October 2015 by Carolyn
The Patch, Australia
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Great show!M Reviewed on 27 September 2015 by Mindy
Ladysmith, Canada
verified
A must seeExcellent
A Reviewed on 27 September 2015 by Andrew
Combs, United Kingdom
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Smart, sophisticated theatreB Reviewed on 27 September 2015 by Belinda
Cairns, Australia
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A must see! A superb pruduction and I am a theatre lover. Wonderful in all respects... Apart from acting which was super, a special mention for the lights!
E Reviewed on 24 September 2015 by Evanthia
London, United Kingdom
verified
A must see.It is a a must see performance. The whole cast - great! Great played, great spoken, great performed. I, actually, wish to see it again. There is a lot to think of… The play is new and brings new ideas, new look into the human mind and human soul. Kidman? A dream fulfilled! Dreamed from years to see her performing live after so many great movies she have made. I didn't go just to see the great star she is, but to enjoy her talent… She covers all expectations. To see a talented actress, clean speaking, clean performing, exact, nothing too much, but the exact "living and breathing in the role" kind of a performance as she always does. For everyone who love arts - just go and see the play. The guys - great actors, passioantely performing, living in the play, great. UNFORGETTABLE! Thank you! Applause!
A Reviewed on 21 September 2015 by Alexander
Oslo, Norway
verified
Not to be missed - very movingExcellent Drama and would advise this should be added to your bucket list. Only advice - no interval so watch your fluid intake before the show as 90mins might be a long time to wait.
G Reviewed on 21 September 2015 by Gillian
Hebburn, United Kingdom
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Amazing!Such an emotional and powerful story! Nicole Kidman was sensational! A wonderful show, very clever set up. The story was griping and very emotional and humbling.
M Reviewed on 19 September 2015 by Michael
Charvil, United Kingdom
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Personally I couldn't connect to the story and I did not enjoy the plot.L Reviewed on 19 September 2015 by Lish Lee
London, United Kingdom
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CaptivatingEnjoyed the storyline and excellent acting. Loved Nicole Kidmans performance
C Reviewed on 12 September 2015 by Candice
Alresford, United Kingdom
verified
EngagingI was totally immersed into the story and the presentation of the personalities of thes people. I thought the staging of the play was ingenious and contributed to immersing one into the dynamics between the principal characters. The time just flew by! The cast was superb.
E Reviewed on 10 September 2015 by Elizabeth
Port Coquitlam, Canada
verified
Perfect thoroughly enjoyable.This show was brilliant from the beginning to the end. It flowed beautifully, very easy to follow the storyline and fabulous cohesion between all the actors.
R Reviewed on 10 September 2015 by Rhonda
Rodd Point, Australia
verified
EnlighteningThe play explains how Franklin was robbed by her academic colleagues--all's fair in love and science.
K Reviewed on 06 September 2015 by Keith
Crawley, Australia
verified
Superb scientific storyNicole Kidman gave a subtle and understated performance as Rosalind Franklin and did the character justice. The story was brilliantly told and without bias. It was superbly put together.
A Reviewed on 06 September 2015 by Alexandra
London, United Kingdom
2015
Full cast revealed to join Nicole Kidman in Photograph 51
by Oliver Mitford | Thursday, July 30 2015, 16:44
The Michael Grandage Company has finally announced the full casting for the upcoming production of Anna Ziegler’s play, Photograph 51 at the Noel Coward Theatre.
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