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Genesis Inc. review – scattergun satire on the IVF industry

Hampstead theatre, London
A sparkling cast including Harry Enfield star in Jemma Kennedy’s unwieldy play about the commercialisation of conception

Jemma Kennedy’s play about the IVF industry stems from personal experience. Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the world’s first test-tube baby, the piece is also timely. But, while Kennedy’s comedy has some sharp things to say about the commercialisation of conception, it aims wildly at too many targets and, at two and three-quarter hours, cries out for dramaturgical treatment.

In attempting to take us all round the subject, Kennedy weaves together a number of stories. Serena and Jeff are a fraught young couple who, having exhausted the limited IVF possibilities of the NHS, go to the expensive private clinic that gives the play its title. Meanwhile Bridget is a 40-plus banker who, having placed her own frozen eggs with the same firm, now arranges for it to be floated on the stock market. To complicate matters further, Bridget is deeply attached to Miles, a gay teacher and old college chum whom she longs to be her sperm donor.

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from Culture | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2tMuH0H
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