The Doctor's Dilemma

Synopsis

Harley Street doctor Sir Colenso Ridgeon’s revolutionary tuberculosis treatment remains experimental and his resources restricted to ten selected patients. 

The arrival of the striking and persuasive Jennifer Dubedat, desperate to save the life of her brilliant artist husband, nevertheless prompts Ridgeon to invite the young couple to a dinner where he and his colleagues may assess the merits of the case. Beguiled by the charismatic Dubedat and his lovely wife, they concur that his is a life worth saving, even at the expense of another. Yet no sooner are the medics congratulating themselves n their decision, than they are confronted by Dubedat’s questionable morality.

Meanwhile, their impoverished colleague Blenkinsop, the most worthy but least exceptional of the lot, reveals himself in dire need of treatment.

Disturbingly funny and psychologically incisive, Bernard Shaw’s The Doctor’s Dilemma takes on with an irreverent glee the dubious ethics of the men who play God.

Nadia Fall directs a cast including William Belchambers, Tom Burke, David Calder, Aden Gillett, Paul McCleary, [Genevieve O’Reilly], Robert Portal and Malcolm Sinclair.

Our Review:

Michael Coveney - 25 July 2012

Bernard Shaw's 1904 satirical play about the medical profession is sub-titled a tragedy: the newly knighted Colenso Ridgeon chooses not to save an "immoral" consumptive artist because he loves the artist's wife. But he's disastrously mis-read her signals of devotion.

The genius of the play, which is given a wonderfully limber and entertaining revival by Nadia Fall, making an auspicious NT debut, lies in its humanising the real dilemma: that of how best to direct resources in the health service, and provide for those unable to afford the best and newest treatment.

Ridgeon - played with a triumphant finality in a major performance from Aden Gillett - has a limited supply of serum for his ten tubercular patients, and he can help either the artist Louis Dubedat - the role originated by Granville Barker, played on...

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Latest User Review

Philip Swan - 26 August 2012:

"A cast of mostly older men acting brilliantly" I totally agree. And mercifully a production that does not patronise its audience with concepts and updatings! The play has its problems, but this elegant, funny and thought-provoking production gave me enormous pleasure....

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