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BRITISH MEDICAL REVIEW
21st April 2006 Theatre

Science and art mix creates animal magic
Rating: ****

The term "science play" might make many teenagers wince. But Judith Johnson's Every Breath, a science play targeted at teenagers is likely to do just the opposite, despite dealing with a topic as delicate as the ethical dimensions surrounding the use of animals for biomedical research.

Sonny, an 18 year old with asthma, is a fervent opponent of medical research involving animals. His 21 year old sister, Anita, a scientist, is set to join a new animal research centre in their town, against which Sonny has planned to protest. Sonny also informs his sister that he plans to boycott any medication that was tested on animals, including his inhaler.

Against the backdrop of a possible relationship between their mother and an ageing former punk, an emotional argument between brother and sister about animal research-in the context of their father's death from leukaemia incites a severe asthma attack in Sonny. His inhaler absent, he becomes unconscious, and is admitted to a hospital. We are then taken through many arguments for and against the involvement of animals, in various scenarios, as Sonny finally agrees to use his inhaler in emergencies.

The play touches on several controversies surrounding animal experimentation. The fundamental difference of opinion between Sonny and Anita lies in Sonny's belief that a human life is not, in any way, superior to that of an animal, and that every animal has the right to live, without being subject to undue human intervention. Anita's stand is clear, knowledge is power, and knowledge gained through animals saves millions of human lives each year. At one point she expresses her own discomfort at the suffering of animals, but concedes that scientists are aware of the problem, and usually make the experimentation as painless to the animals as possible.

Every Breath was well acted. But while the character of Sonny is likely to leave a lasting impression, Anita is portrayed as a typical, if not a stereotypical and clichéd, sceptical scientist. The playwright, however, has not tipped the balance in favour of, or against, the use of animal testing in biomedical research. Nor has she sacrificed the art of storytelling in her focus on a scientific debate. Overall, this was an excellent blend of science and art.

The play has already completed a six week tour in several London schools, and a nationwide tour is set to begin with this year's Edinburgh festival.

Balaji Ravichandran, third year medical student
Madras Medical College, BMJ Clegg Scholar

Rating: ****