"Photograph 51" exposes Dr. Franklin's Tragic Story

---Theatre Review

Upon entering the smallish, low-ceilinged Fountain Theatre for the first time, new patrons might be tempted to overlook its potential. The simple matte-black set with its scarcity of props used in the current production might further that impression.

But once the lights dim and the play begins, all doubts will vanish. And after an hour and twenty minutes – which seems far shorter – they will rise with applause in appreciation for the outstanding performance they have just witnessed.

"Photograph 51," written by Anna Ziegler and directed by Simon Levy, is a true story that documents the discovery of the unique structure of DNA (that amazing double helix), and the tragic journey of one scientist, Dr. Rosalind Franklin, whose photograph led to the discovery.

Aria Alpert plays the aloof and austere Dr. Franklin who, from the opening scene is discriminated against because of her sex. It is the 1950´s and, although she has been promised headship of the scientific team at Kings College in London, in actuality, she has to bargain and fight for a mere partnership with the renowned Dr. Maurice Wilkins (Daniel Billet).

Dr. Wilkins is enamored with her, and not a little bit intimidated, but after his many romantic gestures are rebuffed, he turns bitter. Their assistant, Raymond Gosling (performed with charming naivety by Graham Norris) plays buffer and mediator between the two, and is the first to see Franklin´s astonishing "X" photograph.

(Throughout the play, the scientists use the matte-black walls as chalkboards, filling them with diagrams and formulae.)

Unfortunately for the Kings College team, the disgruntled Dr. Wilkins shows Photo 51 to the competing team at Cambridge. Wild-haired James Watson (Ian Gould), longing to be the one to discover the "secret of life," shows the image to his partner, Francis Crick (Kerby Joe Grubb), and together they build the Nobel Prize-winning DNA model … the familiar twisted-ladder shape of a double helix.

It´s too late, however, for the dedicated thirty-seven year old English biophysicist. In a heart-wrenching scene, just when it seems that she might have a chance at love with the handsome American Don Casper (Ross Hellwig) Rosalind´s life is snatched away by the "twin tumors" of ovarian cancer. (Was it the result of exposure to x-rays as the play suggests?)

Presented in the stark black & white reality of an X-ray image, "Photograph 51" is a play that will stay in the mind for some time. The drama of the race and the twist of circumstances that placed the honor of discovery into another´s hands is thought provoking.

Feminists will certainly chafe at the unfair prejudices against women in science in the last century.

And lastly, the beautiful, double-helix model, spot lit and slowly rotating on stage, is most impressive, especially to those of us who are scientifically challenged.

"Photograph 51" plays Thursdays – Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, now through May 3.

Tickets are $25 and $28 for general admission; $23 for seniors; and $18 for students with ID.

For reservations, call (323) 663-1525 or visit www.FountainTheatre.com

The Fountain Theatre is located at 5060 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029 (at Normandie).

There is secure, on-site parking ($5), and a quaint upstairs cafe for sipping hot tea or java, and chilled sodas and brews before/after performances.

NOTE: Nobel Laureate Alan Heegler will present the 2008 STAGE International Script Competition prize ($10,000) to playwright Anna Ziegler at The Fountain Theatre on April 11, 2009, at 8 pm, in a short ceremony prior to the performance.