19th November 2008

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Actors Charlyne Francis, Phillip Weddell, Joyce Galuebo, and Dawn Perllman with Professor Valerie McKelvey-Martin

The ethical dilemmas posed by stem cell research form the creative link between science and the performing arts in a pioneering partnership forged between the University of Ulster and a leading London theatre company.

Ulster’s Science and Society initiative has brought the Y Touring Theatre Company to Northern Ireland for a two week tour to perform Nobody Lives Forever, an award winning play by Judith Johnson.

The company will perform twice daily at various host schools throughout the province, reaching an audience of around 3000.

Nobody Lives Forever builds upon the success of Every Breath, also written by Judith Johnson which explored the use of animals in biomedical research and went on tour across Northern Ireland early in 2007.

Both Roadshows were made possible by the generous financial support of the Bank of Ireland and the Honourable the Irish Society.

Professor Valerie McKelvey-Martin, Director of Science in Society  says Nobody Lives Forever explores some of the social, moral, scientific and political questions raised by stem cell research in a captivating  and informative family drama.

“The secondary aim  of the roadshow is to encourage and stimulate informed debate and, as with all the work of the Y Touring company over the past seventeen years, the production of Nobody Lives Forever will provide an impartial forum for learning and debate. By looking at both sides of the argument in a thought-provoking and even-handed fashion, the play gives audiences plenty for food for thought,” said Professor McKelvey-Martin.  

After each performance, there is an opportunity for a live debate using electronic voting technology and students will be encouraged to explore further some of the issues posed by the drama.

Nobody Lives Forever has been developed in partnership with the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and is supported by the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Department of Health, Action Medical Research and the Royal Albert Hall. The play is targeted to students at KS4 and above (Aged 14+) and was specifically written as a valuable cross-curricular learning tool with particular relevance to Science, Drama, English, PSHE/Citizenship and RE.

The production is accompanied by a suite of online support materials which will engage directly with science and humanities specifications.

For further information, please contact:

Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter