The Nicole Kidman-led hit West End drama Photograph 51 will play a special charity performance on 19 November in aid of the real-life story’s scientific setting.
Anna Ziegler’s critically acclaimed play is set at King’s College London, where Rosalind Franklin (Kidman) took the pivotal ‘Photograph 51’, a piece of scientific research that led to the world’s most important scientific discovery, the structure of DNA.
To pay tribute to the world famous institution, all proceeds from the evening performance will be divided between King’s College London and the show’s production company, the Michael Grandage Company, to aid both organisations’ charitable work.
King’s College London’s proceeds will aid the work of its Cancer Centre at Guy’s Hospital, while the Michael Grandage Company will use the money raised to help its educational charity, MGCfutures.
Speaking about the announcement, Photograph 51’s director Michael Grandage said: “It has been a huge privilege to collaborate with King’s College London, to be given access to the extraordinary archives at King’s where our story begins, to view Photograph 51 itself and to benefit from the knowledge and expertise of their academic team.
“This charity evening enables us to celebrate that relationship and to raise funds for both the Cancer Centre at Guy’s Hospital and for MGCfutures – the charitable arm of our company which helps enable us to support new and emerging creative practitioners, develop new young audiences and open up a range of interactive experiences for young people eager to learn more about our industry.”
Kidman made her much anticipated return to the stage to lead the production last month alongside Stephen Campbell Moore, Will Attenborough, Edward Bennett, Patrick Kennedy and Joshua Silver.
Described by Official London Theatre’s Kate Stanbury as “intriguing and complex”, the drama tells of the race to unlock the secret of life and takes a closer look at just what Franklin sacrificed in pursuit of her place in history.
King’s College London President and Principal, Professor Edward Byrne, described Franklin as an “incredible scientist”, commenting: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Michael Grandage Company to give theatregoers the opportunity to both enjoy a performance of this play and contribute to these important causes… It’s great that we’re able to celebrate her life and contributions to science with this special charity performance.”
Tickets to the gala performance can be booked via the Photograph 51 website.