Photograph 51
Photograph 51
The Michael Grandage Company presents the UK première of Anna Ziegler’s award-winning play Photograph 51, with Academy award-winning actress Nicole Kidman as Rosalind Franklin.
“The instant I saw the photograph my mouth fell open and my pulse began to race”
Does Rosalind Franklin know how precious her photograph is? In the race to unlock the secret of life it could be the one to hold the key. With rival scientists looking everywhere for the answer, who will be first to see it and more importantly, understand it? Anna Ziegler’s extraordinary play looks at the woman who cracked DNA and asks what is sacrificed in the pursuit of science, love and a place in history.
Directed by Michael Grandage; Set and Costume Designer: Christopher Oram
Composer and Sound Designer: Adam Cork
- Duration
95 minutes with no interval.
- Good To Know
All appearances are subject to illness and holidays. The appearance of any particular artist cannot be guaranteed.
Access Performances
For booking for access performances, please call: 0844 482 5137
Captioned performances – captioned by Stagetext
Date 24 October at 3 pm
Audio Described Performances – preceded by a touch tour at 2pm
Date 7 November at 3 pm
Additional Details & FAQ
- Cancellation Policy
No refunds available after purchase
- Where Do I Go
Noel Coward Theatre.
Transport & Parking
Tubes: Covent Garden, Leicester Sq, Charing Cross, Holborn
Buses: Destination Leicester Sq.14, 19, 24, 29, 38, 176
Parking: Masterpark
Reviews
Sandra
Oct 2, 2015
This was superbly done. a subject that could have been dull made entertaining, interesting, thrilling and emotional. I loved it.
Monika
Oct 2, 2015
Great in all respects! Beautiful, classy venue for a real piece of theatre. Great play, intelligent, funny, witty, well staged and packed with science and what it really is to be a scientist. Finally, Nicole Kidman, great as the character, fully engaged, taking the role as seriously as the actress of her calibre often does't bother to. But she did! Overall, it was a pleasure and a real theatre that is a rare find even on the Strand!
Frances
Oct 1, 2015
I really enjoyed this play. The basic story is well known but it was interestingly told, well acted, cleverly staged and struck an emotional cord in parts. Well worth seeing especially for us as we had in interest in the science anyway.
Jennie
Sep 30, 2015
It was nice to see Nicole Kidman in the West End. Although in her role she reminded me of a young Maggie Thatcher so I had little empathy for the character. Whilst I understand the overall point of the play it was boring. 90 minutes of technical terms about the double helix. I really couldn't care less. So I thought that the story wasn't engaging. Worthy yes. Long dialogue. Yes. But I looked at my watch 3 times.
Agustin
Sep 30, 2015
great play and Nicole was very good as the all crew
Yael
Sep 29, 2015
A powerful and gripping performance by Nicole Kidman and cast. Real A* entertainment!
Tyler Woollard
Sep 28, 2015
Beyond brilliant. Best play I have ever seen!
Didem Un Ates
Sep 27, 2015
Excellent performance, excellent play... 60 years on; unfortunately, still valid and highly topical.
Dominique Contant
Sep 27, 2015
The play, which lasts 95 minutes without an interval, relies on a small cast and a totally engaging dialogue. It is an intelligently immersive experience, providing an interesting perspective through a historical window of time. It is interlaced with subtle emotional resonance, achieved through exploring the dynamics of just a handful of relationships. Every character's performance was thoroughly enjoyable. This is a production that I would very happily go and see again.
Delisa
Sep 27, 2015
90 mins of stellar acting where you felt like Nicole and the other actors were talking directly to you. Nicole embodied the character of Rosailand and you felt her emotions. Impressive evening that was thoroughly enjoyable!
Cherie davies
Sep 27, 2015
The minimalist stage sets the scene for something extremely special. The topic as a medical person was interesting and all of the performances were brilliant. Nicole Kidman trying to look dowdy was difficult but you are simply mesmerised by her every action.
JanieMo
Sep 25, 2015
Rosalind the unknown heroine. Well crafted play with a very interesting storyline with scenes cleverly hinged together. Thoroughly enjoyable and very interesting. Kidman's english accent was impeccable as ever, although I don't think her performance was outstanding. No interval - fantastic. Good
Tom smith
Sep 24, 2015
My wife and I are regular theatre enthusiasts. Over the past twenty years we have seen a verity of different performances and I honestly say that this was far the WORST we have seen, the story was so bad, and there was no effort made with different costumes and the back ground scenery. I am so sorry to see Nicole Kidman bringing herself so low to be a part of such an awful production. I guess 90% of people including my wife and I was there just to see Nicole, during the show I looked around and was so horrified to so many people dozing off and looking bored. However Nicole was still a great performer and wasted on this cheap overpriced ticket show.
Paul Fitzpatrick
Sep 24, 2015
Saw the show last night. Took my girlfriend because she's a NK fan. Not a big fan of shows. Prefer sport or action movies. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Nicole Kidman was absolutely brilliant. It wouldn't be an easy part and she executed it perfectly. Very talented. Interesting story and good script. I really enjoyed it.
maria
Sep 22, 2015
From start to finish this play was superb - my guests didn't know who the play was based on nor have they any interest in science or academia but they were all full of praise for a cleverly written, beautifully executed play that is both entertaining and thought provoking
Elena
Sep 19, 2015
Very good
G lamb
Sep 11, 2015
Excellent
I Anthony
Sep 10, 2015
The theme was interesting but we found Nicole Kidman quite stiff. She did not seem to be at ease in that role.
Freddy Shaoul
Sep 10, 2015
A difficult role but Nicole was brilliantly outstanding. What a great performance.
Roberta
Sep 9, 2015
Not only because Nicole Kidman is in the play but actually the history itself is great. A tribute to Rosaline Franklin …. a must see play !
J G
Sep 8, 2015
Cracking the code of life itself, the suspense and intrigue surrounding the scientific world along with the challenges of being a woman in a male dominated society were all conveyed by bringing to prominence a key player in unlocking the mystery of DNA. The cast were formidable in bringing the story to life and providing a lot of comedic timing to a very dramatic time in scientific as well as gender equality history. Well played indeed.