Production image by Jean Goldsmith @jeangoldsmith.com

On the verge of ecological disaster, a mother who no longer wishes to be a mother and a child who no longer wishes to be, find salvation in a drastic solution. 

The Medea Hypothesis uses an ancient myth to address a very modern crisis - is humankind's current path self destructive? 

As we seek to give our children every advantage are we securing a way of life that leads to destruction? In the same way that the original Medea play questions fundamental concepts of what it is to be a mother, The Medea Hypothesis questions what it means to fight for survival, or even the value of life in a world where 'strength in numbers' might only serve to secure destruction. 

Thie reassessment of life's fundamental values is played out by a single mother who doubts any reasonable future for her and her son, and a son who perceives himself and his peers as the cause of tomorrow's global catastrophe. 

Running through the core of this play is The Medea Hypothesis - a real life theory by Palaeontologist Peter Ward that suggests a malign alternative to burturing concepts of a Mother Earth - one that instead casts off her children to save herself. 

Programme is available here.

The Washing Machine is performing The Medea Hypothesis as a part of Voila festival on 7th and 8th November 2019 at Cockpit theatre. Please see tickets information here.