£1 million Strategic Award to spark debate on advances in biomedical research
24 January 2011
The Strategic Award will be used by Y Touring, which is now celebrating its 21st year, to develop and produce one new Theatre of Debate® project annually for five years. Each project will explore and stimulate conversation on a different facet of biomedical research and its effects on individuals and society through the use of theatre, debate and digital media. Y Touring Theatre Company is an operation of Central YMCA, the UK's leading 'activity for health' charity.
Original theatrical productions will be toured in schools around the UK and streamed live to cinemas throughout the country. The project will create a national network of schools with access to extensive educational resources, facilitate a community of students engaged - in part - through digital media, and encourage debate about the impact of biomedical research on society among young people and adult audiences.
Clare Matterson, Director of Medical Humanities and Engagement at the Wellcome Trust, said: "We hope that this Strategic Award will enable Y Touring to build on its excellent track record of promoting public understanding of and engagement with science through drama. Over the past 21 years, the company has shown consistently the unique role that drama can play in enabling audiences to reflect on both the science and its ethical and societal implications too by portraying authentic situations within which are embedded essential ethical and moral issues for debate."
Nigel Townsend, Executive Director of Y Touring, said "We are thrilled to have received this Strategic Award from the Wellcome Trust and look forward to undertaking this exciting project. The fast pace of scientific advances is having an increasing impact on human health. This project gives us a chance to bring together scientists, young people, artists and teachers to explore these vital issues."
The project, costing £1.6m in total, will start in April 2011. The first year of work will focus on pharmacogenetics, the science of 'tailoring' medicines to best fit with individuals' genetic make-up. This will be conducted in partnership with Valerie McKelvey-Martin, Head of Engagement at the School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulster.
Dame Joan Bakewell, Y Touring's patron, commented: "I am thrilled that the brilliant work done by Y Touring has gained the sustained support of the Wellcome Trust. In the present climate this is especially pleasing and a tribute to the high standards of both organisations."
Each play will be performed every day for a week during National Science and Engineering Week in the Royal Albert Hall's Elgar Room.
Image: A scene from ‘Every Breath’, a Y Touring production. Credit: D. Kampfner.
