Theatre and Exhibit: "Brains: The Stuff That Minds Are Made On"--3 one-act plays by C.U.M. (Chris) Smith (Wolverhampton and Birmingham, UK, 10-18 March 2000)
Chris Smith (neuroscientist, historian, past president of the ISHN, ...and playwright) e-mailed and reminded me that "neurohistory is not entirely absent from the UK's National Science/Brain Awareness week." See the forwarded message, below, about the performances of his 3 one-act plays gathered under the title "Brains: The Stuff That Minds Are Made On" Chris encourages folks to attend the performances and invites them to contact him for more information: <c.u.m.smith@aston.ac.uk> ; phone: +44.121.359.3611 ext. 4589. For details (dates, times, addresses), see the Dana Alliance's Brain Awareness Week calendar website at <http://www.dana.org/brainweek/cal.html> ; enter the title or keyword "stuff". The Crescent Theatre website notes that these performances are supported by the Millennium Commission and the Dana Brain Alliance. Russell Johnson - - - - - Begin Forwarded Message - - - - - In a new approach to enhancing the public understanding of science three short one-act plays written by Chris Smith are being staged at Bridgnorth's [Wolverhampton] *Theatre on the Steps* (artistic director and producer: John Gorman) (10, 11 March) at the beginning of Brain Awareness Week at Wolverhampton (*Arena Theatre*: 13 March) and at the end of Brain Awareness Week and beginning of National Science Week in Birmingham (*Crescent Theatre*: 17, 18 March) The theatrical occasions will also be used to exhibit material relating to the science and history of the brain in the Foyer and other display spaces at the theatres. This can be viewed by the audience before the performance, during the interval, and for a short period after the performance. It is envisaged that two plays (Hippos in the Brain; Golgi and Cajal) will be staged before an interval of about twenty minutes and the third and last play (René and Elizabeth) after the interval. Each play is designed to last about 30 - 35 minutes. The three interlinked plays are designed to illuminate different aspects of brain science: Hippos in the Brain - evolution; Golgi and Cajal - fine structure, neuron theory, synapses; René and Elizabeth - mind/brain issues; neuroimaging; neuropharmacology. Wider issues are also touched on: the two-way interaction of science and society, the significance of technique, the evolving place of women in science, the importance of the often overlooked role of technicians, mind/brain issues etc. In each case the central issue is focussed by an *historical controversy* and the focus then widened to sketch the contemporary position. The plays are structured so that many questions are left dangling. It is planned to complete the evening with a small panel of experts so that the audience can participate, take up these dangling questions, and debate the issues with one or more professional neuroscientists ___________________________________________________ Russell A. Johnson rjohnson@library.ucla.edu