The Gift
Written by Nicola Baldwin / Produced by Theatre of Debate
Description
1998 – 16 year old Annie Kay is destined to be a great football player when she is struck down by a long term terminal genetic illness. Her 14 year old brother Ryan Kay fights for the right to be tested for the illness. 2028 – 16 year old Mark Kay a fast rising tennis star discovers that he was ‘selected’ at conception by his father Ryan Kay, a commercial geneticist.
The Gift by Nicola Baldwin tells the story of two generations of the Kay family’s struggle and eventual victory over an inherited terminal genetic disease.
Developed in partnership with Professor Bernadette Modell and the Genetic Interest Group Supported by the Wellcome Trust and Central YMCA.
The live production and debate of The Gift has been seen by over 40,000 students and teachers in schools.
Y Touring has toured four live theatre tours of The Gift to schools throughout the UK including a three-week run at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Y Touring collaborated with Zenith North Television to film an adaptation of the original stage play for video. In 2006 the video version was adapted for DVD. Today it is only available for streaming from this site. Sadly the master is no longer available and the quality of the streaming version is not as good, but we decided to include it because so many teachers have requested it.
Development of the original stage script, debate, resources and tour was supported by the Wellcome Trust.
Details
Focus: The drama and debate raise questions about the issues around genetic testing and embryo selection in the reduction of inherited disease as well as examining how far parents should be allowed to go in choosing the characteristics of their children. Genetic Inheritance, genetic disorders, genetic testing and screening, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, genetic selection. Whilst promoting spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and mental well-being
Who is ‘The Gift’ suitable for: Teachers can use the project across subjects and curricula, specifically in Science (Biology, 21st Century Science), PSHE, Citizenship, English Drama and RS. It is also appropriate for both 14 – 16 and 16+ age groups. Also suitable for Science Communicators, medical students, nurses, health workers.
Length: 37 minutes
Full Film: Available through Theatre of Debate, with subtitles by Stagetext
Resources: Available for teachers and students, science communicators and health workers
