Title: Mr Placebo /
Authors: Wright, Isabel.; Traverse Theatre (Edinburgh, Scotland); Drum Theatre Plymouth.
Publisher: Oberon,
Year: 2003
Subjects: Human experimentation in medicine Drama.
Abstract: Ben, Howie, Jude and Tariq. Four guys caged in a hospital ward in the name of medical research. Take tablets, give blood, get paid, go home. And with no drink, no caffeine & no smokes, they're guinea pigs guzzling pills for a fast buck, happy to blank the consequences. All that time to think, and bounce off the walls - and each other. What's more, you couldn't find four lab rats more different. At least, that's what they think - but, deep down, they suspect they're all surplus to requirements, as obsolete as Betamax. Yet still holding on and still trying to control an uncertain world. Except Jude - the stakes are higher for him because his dad, Frank, is in a different ward of the same hospital being treated for cancer. Jude is angry that Frank isn't getting the right drugs, while Frank just seems to be taking the long view on a short timescale...who is the placebo here? what choice do you have in your genetic destiny?