the Dream Team
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THE ACADEMY
OF MELANCHOLY

by Charlotte O'Leary
Performed in the Old Operating Theatre, Southwark

​
London. 1824. Determined to keep her penniless family out of the workhouse, Margaret is forced to begin working as a nurse at the Old St Thomas’ Hospital. Long before the formation of the NHS and the use of anaesthesia, the poverty-stricken patients have little say over their brutal and excruciatingly painful treatments.

Horrified by the screams echoing across the hospital Margaret dons a doctor’s coat, disguises herself as a male medical student, and creeps inside the operating theatre. Discovering a room full of blood thirsty students and, showman Dr Edwards unnecessarily performing one of his famous amputations, she has no choice but to take matters into her own hands.

Performed in the oldest operating theatre in Europe, join Margaret on her journey to become one of London’s groundbreaking surgeons.
photography by Mark Duffield

TEAM

Producing Director............. Guy Watson
Finance............................... Monika Hazelton
Writer.................................. Charlotte O'Leary
Designer............................. Susan Watson
Marketing Team................. Beth Lyne
Alice Massey
Assistant Director......... Maia von Hurter
Graphic Designer................ Vic Hill
Box Office Management.... TicketWeb

CAST

Flossie Donamal................. Nadine Barr
Dr Willberforce Haighton... Oliver Longstaff
Dr Edwards.......................... Damien Lyne
Margaret Brownell .......... Louisa-May Parker
Composer and Violinst ....... Olivia Warren
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What people thought...
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★★★★
"Gruesomely Enchanting Melancholy"
Read our review from Scatter of Opinion
"My friend and I absolutely loved it! The incredible venue, just for a start! Your play is unique on so many levels. We both enjoyed the gentle humour set against the rather macabre subject matter. I think your cast of actors was superb. We both agreed that the violin was almost a narrator in itself and was completely essential to the process of the story. 
Anyway, we loved it, and it will stay in my memory for a long time (which you cannot say for all productions). I have never been to anything quite like it!"

             - audience comment
"Sheer brilliance!"

"A unique experience, a fascinating and brilliantly directed show. The props were amazing. Such a shame that this has had such a short run. Superb museum too!"


"
Just wanted to say myself and my friend loved the play, the actors did a fantastic job and the lady on the violin was a brilliant touch.
Loved it."

"It was completely excellent!!"

"Excellent, amusing, entertaining and superbly acted. Great production."

"Brilliant. Great fun but historically interesting too!"

"I wish I could come back tomorrow!"

"Wonderfully conceived and superbly executed"

"Brilliant, funny and fab venue"

"What a great night it was!"

"Triumphant first night at the Old Operating Theatre."

"Well done for such an incredible piece of work and for all of the hard work you put into it to get it there"

how  to  find  the  old  operating  theatre  museum

The Old Operating Theatre, 9a St. Thomas's St. London SE1 9RY

UNDERGROUND & MAINLINE RAIL STATION
London Bridge (Northern & Jubilee Lines)


BUS & TAXI
London Bridge 
17, 21, 35, 40, 43, 47, 48, 133, 141, 149, 343, 381, 521, RV1

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We are very grateful to Young's for their support
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  • Cousin Jack's