Family Tree is a powerful and poetic drama exploring race, inequality, health, the environment and the incredible legacy of one of the most influential Black women of modern times, Henrietta Lacks, whose influence on modern-day medicine still reverberates today.
The HeLa cell line – one of the most revolutionary tools of biomedical research – has played a part in some of the world’s most important medical advances, from the polio vaccine to in vitro fertilization.
The cell’s power lies in its immortality, or ability to be kept alive and grown indefinitely. But few people know that the cells originally belonged to a poor Southern tobacco farmer named Henrietta Lacks who was being treated for cervical cancer in 1951 when her doctor reserved samples of her body tissue for his research.
Lacks died of cancer 60 years ago, but her cells – taken without her knowledge or consent – are still alive today.
Family Tree Originally commissioned by ATC, the UK’s leading theatre producer of international plays, and the Young Vic Theatre in 2020, as an outdoor work-in-progress piece which was showcased at the 2021 Greenwich + Docklands International Festival.
The London Premiere of this brand new 2023 production will be the fully-realised stage play directed by ATC’s award-winning Artistic Director Matthew Xia and is part of a 13-week National Tour taking in 12 venues from Keswick to Plymouth, via London, Liverpool and Bristol.
Family Tree won the 2021 Alfred Fagon Award, the leading Black British Playwrighting prize, for best new play.
Director Matthew Xia, says: “Mojisola Adebayo is an exceptional writer and I’m excited that her award-winning play will be seen by audiences far and wide. There’s a beauty in her work that responds so well to the present moment whilst also holding historical malpractice to account.
“It’s fearless, brutally honest, at turns hilarious, and ultimately transformative.
“Henrietta’s HeLa cell line forms the basis of the most important medical research and breakthroughs across the last 70 years, from Cancer and HIV to COVID, we owe our lives to her.
“Denied her place in history, now is the time to bring Henrietta’s epic legacy to life on stage.”
Mojisola Adebayo adds: “‘When I met Matthew Xia, Henrietta Lacks came into our minds at exactly the same time.
“Xia is magic but Lacks is more, she’s immortal and her body has touched every life on the planet – yours, mine… So why have so few people heard of her? Let alone Lucy, Betsey, Anarcha and more… The play paints a family tree of Black women whose cells, blood and waters have birthed, raised and changed the world. Matthew said to me: “I want the audience to leave the theatre looking up”. I went away and wrote a play on a promise. Come see it.”
The Belgrade’s CEO, Laura Elliot and Creative Director, Corey Campbell says: “We’re thrilled to be co-producing Family Tree with Actors Touring Company. Its mission and message are ones we align ourselves with at the Belgrade and we’re honoured to be hosting its world premiere in Coventry.”
Brixton House adds: “Family Tree spotlights the story of Henrietta Lacks, and what we owe to her legacy. Henrietta’s story will surprise many whilst also highlighting the need for medical research to be more transparent especially as a concern for Black communities. Family Tree is an urgent part of our history and a unique opportunity for the Black diaspora to connect and reflex on how our bodies have long been commodified. Brixton House embarks on an exciting partnership with ATC to bring this production to Brixton as the genesis of future partnerships.”
Brixton House, 385 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London, SW9 8GL from 12 – 23 April. Admission: £21, concessions £17.
Box office: 020 7582 7680 – https://brixtonhouse.co.uk/shows/family-tree/
