Side Effects (2010)

Side Effects is a unique collaboration with The School of Pharmacy, investigating social pharmacy questions through intergenerational community workshops, performance and audience responses. It considers Side Effects of our relationship with modern medicine. The piece was inspired by Pharmacopeia's Cradle to Grave exhibition. The company has formed a team that has rare crossovers between medicine and performance. Pharmaceutical consultant Dr Laura Obiols is also a dancer, whilst dramaturg Mark Down (Blind Summit) was a GP before turning his hand to theatre. Betsy Field, the eldest company member, is a dancer with Sadler's Wells Company of Elders. Before beginning a career as a dancer she ran a pharmacy in Woking with her husband -also a pharmacist. Pharmacopeia artists mentored the production's development.

The project was developed during 2009 and 2010 with a performance of a 20 minute piece, entitled Initial Side Effects at The Place as part of Resolution! 2010 and at The Linbury Studio at the Royal Opera House before premiering at Rich Mix and being performed at Lilian Baylis Theatre at Sadler's Wells for the Arts Club, Laban Theatre & The School of Pharmacy.

Directed by: by Daphna Attias
Produced by: Kirsten Burrows & Dante or Die
Design: Jenny Hayton
Dramaturgy: Mark Down
Music Composer: Yaniv Fridel
Movement Director: Nicky Ellis
Pharmacy Consultants: Professor Ian Bates & Dr Laura Obiols
Vocal Coach: Kate Joos
Antigone Avdi, Laure Bachelot, Betsy Field, Terry O'Donovan & Simon Rice
Stills Photography: Justin Jones
Funded by: a Wellcome Trust Arts Award & Arts Council England
Supported by: The School of Pharmacy, Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Central School of Speech and Drama, and Laban Theatre