A Singular Deception by Hilary Spiers

19:00 Mon 5 – Sat 10 Aug 2024, The Royal Scots Club

Illuminating the astonishing true story of Dr James Barry, A Singular Deception will premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a run at The Royal Scots Club Monday 5 – Saturday 10 August 2024. Compelling new writing by Hilary Spiers about a shamefully forgotten nonpareil.

Dr James Barry graduated in medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 1812 and went on to achieve the highest medical rank with a near 50 year career in the British Army. A shocking flirt, skilled duellist and equestrian, social and medical reformer who transformed the treatment of sexual diseases, leprosy and mental illness, Barry was the first European to carry out a Caesarean where both mother and child survived. But what secret is the swashbuckling surgeon concealing? 

Written and directed by Hilary Spiers, A Singular Deception was developed in 2017 with support from Arts Council England and Tea & Tenacity Theatre Company. Barry (Jac Wheble) and faithful manservant Black John (Kenneth Brangman) bring this extraordinary tale to vivid life in this long awaited premiere presented by EGTG.

Cast:
Dr James Barry: Jac Wheble
Black John: Kenneth Brangman

Team:
Director: Hilary Spiers
Stage Manager: Helen Bannatyne
Music: Flora Henderson
Set: Richard Spiers
Lighting: Gordon Hughes
Sound: Richard Spiers

A SINGULAR DECEPTION by Hilary Spiers

19:00, 5 – 10 August (75 minutes)
Hepburn Suite, The Royal Scots Club (Venue 241)

Tickets £15 from the Fringe Box Office or £12 for EGTG Members through TicketSource.

★★★★★
“Although this play is about a serious historical subject, it is handled with much gentle humour, and really brings the characters to life.”
Lisa Sibbald for Arts Reviews Edinburgh

★★★☆☆ Medical mystery
Florence Cruikshanks for AllEdinburgh Theatre

★★★☆☆
“A highly confident and commanding performance.”
Richard Beck for Broadway Baby

Hilary Spiers is a novelist, award-winning short story writer and playwright, who writes about ordinary women in sometimes extraordinary circumstances. She believes women’s complex and fascinating lives deserve more scrutiny than they often get and is particularly interested in the lives of older women and historical figures.
www.hilaryspiers.co.uk