plot synopsis

London, 1953. Scientists are on the verge of discovering what they call the secret of life: the DNA double helix. Providing the key is driven young physicist Rosalind Franklin. But if the double helix was the breakthrough of the 20th century, then what kept Franklin out of the history books? A play about ambition, isolation, and the race for greatness.

select productions

— Noel Coward Theatre (The West End), London, 2015 (Directed by Michael Grandage)
— Williamstown Theatre Festival on Audible, 2022 (Directed by Susan Stroman)
— South Coast Repertory, CA, 2019 (Directed by Kimberly Senior)
—Melbourne Theatre Company, Australia (November-December 2019, directed by Pamela Rabe)
—  Cameri Theatre of Tel Aviv, Israel (2023-2024)
— Court Theatre, Chicago, 2019 (Directed by Vanessa Stalling)
— Renaissance Theatreworks, Milwaukee, WI, 2019
— Central Square Theatre, Cambridge, MA, 2019
— Umeda Arts Theater, Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, 2018 (Directed by Sarna Lapine)
— Bangalore Little Theatre, India, 2018
— Ernst Deutch Theatre, Hamburg, 2017
— Teatro Eliseo, Rome, 2017
— Playhouse Teater, Stockholm, 2017
— Liepaja Theatre, Latvia, 2016
— Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle, 2013 (Directed by Braden Abraham)
— English Theatre of Berlin, Germany, 2012 (Directed by Günther Grosser)
— Theater J, Washington DC, 2011 (Directed by Daniella Topol)
— Ensemble Studio Theatre, NYC, 2010 (Directed by Linsay Firman)
— Berkshire Theatre Group, Stockbridge, 2023 (Directed by David Auburn)
— Cameri Theater, Tel Aviv, Israel, 2023

more press

“In an intricately layered series of revelations, it becomes several plays all at once: a thriller about a race of discovery; an exposé about sexism in science, and a treatise about loneliness…A beautiful, tender and surprising new play that elevates the West End.” (**** FOUR STARS!) — The Stage

“Michael Grandage’s production for his self-named company has drawn near-ecstatic acclaim for Kidman — and the play — across the board, including from New York Times chief  drama critic Ben Brantley.” — Deadline

“Pure theatrical DNA.” (**** FOUR STARS!) — The Times (London)

“Anna Ziegler’s terrific new play…is a gripping story of sexist unfairness…It’s fascinating. And never dull for a second…There is no better 90 minutes in town…The role of Franklin has allowed the actress Chaon Cross to do the best work of her career. If this were a movie, there would be Oscar chatter.” (**** FOUR STARS!) — The Chicago Tribune (Chris Jones)

“Were the play simply to assert that Franklin was robbed of the prestige that was rightly hers – it would serve a valid but rather worthy purpose. It’s much more fascinating than that, though. It deals with timely feminist issues but also the key fundamentals of how we relate to each other, who we are, our tragic flaws…A TRIUMPH.” (**** FOUR STARS!) — The Telegraph

“Smart and thoroughly engaging…Immensely moving…Too good to pass up.” (**** FOUR STARS!) — TimeOut Melbourne

“In staging Photograph 51, MTC eloquently opens debate about the consequence of severing and hindering potential and the worth of ensuring possibility for all. An engaging important work expertly delivered.” — Australian Stage

“Ziegler’s play draws dramatic, thrill-of-the-chase energy from the scientific controversy, but it is a deeply layered and intense work that explores many aspects of human connection. Joy, tragedy and how we interact with each other – what we say, what we withhold, how we are interpreted – are at the heart of this vigorously scripted piece of theatre. As with Photo 51 itself, it is hard to look away; we look more deeply into the centre of the characters – and ourselves – as we experience Ziegler’s carefully crafted dialogue.” — The Sydney Morning Herald

“A remarkable balance of scientific subject matter and theatrical storytelling…in a play that glows with intelligence and humanity.” (Critic’s Pick)  — Backstage

“An illuminating kind of theatrical X-ray… Photograph 51 neatly coils a scientific detective story around a rumination on how sexism, personality and morality can impact collaboration and creativity…It honors Franklin by painting her as a complete person, with flaws and sterling attributes, and by evoking the thrills and risks of scientific pursuit itself.” — The Seattle Times

“Among the many virtues of Anna Ziegler’s Photograph 51 is the refusal to soften the woman at its center, the British scientist Rosalind Franklin, by making her anything other than formidably, even self-sabotagingly, intelligent…[The play] offers multiple insights into the sad and honorable secrets of one particular life.” — NY Times

“Watson’s book about this discovery has been hailed as one of the 20th century’s great works of nonfiction, demonstrating that really good writing can make a seemingly dry subject gripping. Ziegler has done the same with Photograph 51, and this production shows what beauty can be found when outstanding writing and acting intertwine like strands of DNA.” — The Pioneer Press

“You don’t go to a play about scientists expecting poetry, and yet it’s a constant presence in Anna Ziegler’s historical drama Photograph 51…a beautifully told story about how life flourishes and fades away, and about how death is not the end of anything really.” — Riverfront Times