Produced and presented by Bloodline Theatre
A cutting-edge tragedy about a brilliant scientist who creates an infectious vaccine that could save humanity from a future pandemic!
When autism diagnosed scientist Augustus Jameson (Jonty O’Callaghan) creates an infectious vaccine that he has tested on bats in his lab, he realises this could be rolled out as a vaccine to save the world from a future pandemic. Having learned to mask his autism with the help of his trusted cat, Mr T (Charlie Culley), Gus faces a daily challenge to navigate the precarious modern world of science and hold down a senior position in a university research lab.
Fate sends Gus two women: Julia Phelina (Marianne James) a psychologist who brings, love, understanding and an end to his loneliness, and Sophia Fox (Nina Fidderman), a doctoral student and ambitious original thinker with connections that could take his life’s work to new levels and put his name in the history books.
Should he rush ahead with the help of the maverick Sophia—skirting the rules? Should he heed his girlfriend’s warnings? Chris Faithful (Charlie Culley), Gus’ Dean of faculty and trusted friend, repeatedly rescues Gus from misunderstandings arising from his autism, while Marti (Emily Wallace), his longtime trusted therapist, attempts to guide Gus through a path which sees many transformations.
A chorus of women reveal Gus’ unconscious motivations and advise and explain to the unmasked choral Gus (Andreas Bedorf) the possibilities and consequences arising from his world-leading science. The tension between career, family, peers and love, challenge Gus at a time when he is in a position to “save humanity” – his Panacea.
Don’t miss the premiere of Panacea (Singer James 2024), where contemporary science meets the classical traditions of Greek tragedy in this bold piece of new writing!
An infectious vaccine to test on bats
To eradicate rabies rabies rabies
He knows if he rolls it out in time
He could save mothers and babies babies
From certain death and plight and plague
But warnings come and advice is vague
The future lies in Gus’s hands
The future lies in his gloved hands
- Mental Health
- Suicide
- Strong Language