Buy cheap tickets for Boozr
Factor 9

If this show was a stick of rock, it would have “Anger” written all the way through it in blood red: specifically anger at the medical, commercial and political establishments in both the US and UK which, during the 1980s, allowed thousands of haemophiliacs to be infected with Hepatitis C and/or HIV – with horrendous consequences for themselves, their partners, and their families.

It's these people's stories that are important – as import as the need for us to remember that, whatever the cause, ends never justify means.

Stewart Porter and Matthew Zajac here ably perform a collage of scenes which mixes the personal testaments of two men living with haemophilia and a dramatised global medical history of research into haemophilia. The latter includes the subsequent production, distribution and use of blood products, at least some of which were contaminated by their origins in US prisons.

Early on, writer Hamish MacDonald makes the point that some of the earliest research into haemophilia during the 1940s was carried out by medical staff on prisoners in the Nazi concentration camps. One specific consequence of this was the development of the Nuremberg Code, which set out basic ethical principles concerning the use of humans in medical experimentation. The first–and most important–of these is “voluntary consent; a person must be capable of making an absolutely informed and uncoerced decision about the risks and benefits of taking part in experimentation. As this play shows, that code was breached, quite deliberately, during the early days of research into HIV and AIDS--right here in Edinburgh.

Factor 9 is not an easy watch, especially when it channels the experiences of Bruce Norval and Robert Mackie–two lives stunted and almost destroyed not by their particular genetic condition, but by all-too-human prejudice, ignorance and fear; in one man’s case a potential nursing career ended when he was suddenly considered an "unacceptable infection risk" during the early years of the spread of HIV. It's a terrible reminder of a time not long ago, when society's fear and prejudice made life almost unbearable for its most fragile members. But there was worse to come.

Given the numerous facts, especially dates, involved in explaining this under-the-radar scandal, it's useful that director Ben Harrison opts to include them in atmospheric video montages by Tim Reid, projected onto a grid-like set that's one part old medical laboratory, one part hospital waiting room. Yet there are other reminders of the passage of time, including the regular ringing of a telephone, to indicate that another person affected by the contamination scandal has died. As we're told in no uncertain terms, Norval and Mackie are increasingly rare among (as one official memo described them) "these unfortunate individuals"–they're still alive.

Unlike the majority of shows on the Fringe these days, Factor 9 runs for more than an hour, but still feels in some respects too short, with one revelation being almost overshadowed by the next. But perhaps that's missing the point: it's these people's stories that are important – as import as the need for us to remember that, whatever the cause, ends never justify means.

Reviews by Paul Fisher Cockburn

Paradise in The Vault

The Wellbrick Centre on Roswell Drive

★★★
Church Hill Theatre

The Outrun

★★★
Summerhall

One of Two

★★★★
Scottish Storytelling Centre

Moira in Lockdown

★★★★★

Since you’re here…

… we have a small favour to ask. We don't want your money to support a hack's bar bill at Abattoir, but if you have a pound or two spare, we really encourage you to support a good cause. If this review has either helped you discover a gem or avoid a turkey, consider doing some good that will really make a difference.

You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
Donate to Mama Biashara now

Theatre MAD
The Make A Difference Trust fights HIV & AIDS one stage at a time. Their UK and International grant-making strategy is based on five criteria that raise awareness, educate, and provide care and support for the most vulnerable in society. A host of fundraising events, including Bucket Collections, Late Night Cabarets, West End Eurovision, West End Bares and A West End Christmas continue to raise funds for projects both in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Donate to Theatre MAD now

Acting For Others
Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities. During the COVID-19 crisis Acting for Others have raised over £1.7m to support theatre workers affected by the pandemic.
Donate to Acting For Others now

Performances

Location

The Blurb

Dogstar reunites the creators of The Tailor of Inverness to present a powerful new production, telling the story of the greatest medical disaster of our time. Rab (Stewart Porter) and Bruce (Matthew Zajac) are haemophiliacs. They both live with life-threatening diseases contracted through the prescription of contaminated blood products. Thousands across the world have not survived. A ‘furiously skillful’ (Västerbottens-Kuriren, Sweden) multimedia theatre event, Factor 9 challenges the pharmaceutical industry and medical and political establishments, asking – how could this happen? ‘Be sure to see it’ (Vasterbottens-Kuriren, Sweden). ‘It was profoundly brilliant’ (Audience Member, Wales). Director Ben Harrison.
Buy cheap tickets for Book Of Mormon
Buy cheap tickets for Boozr

Most Popular See More

Buy cheap tickets for Mrs. Doubtfire
Mrs. Doubtfire

From £25.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for The Devil Wears Prada
The Devil Wears Prada

From £31.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Back To The Future
Back To The Future

From £24.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Only Fools And Horses
Only Fools And Horses

From £43.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Guys and Dolls
Guys and Dolls

From £24.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Cirque du Soleil: Corteo
Cirque du Soleil: Corteo

From £69.00

More Info

Find Tickets

Buy cheap tickets for Book of Mormon
Buy cheap tickets for Mary Queen of Scots
Buy cheap tickets for Anne Frank
Buy cheap tickets for Stiletto
Buy cheap tickets for Fawlty Towers
Buy cheap tickets for Waiting for Godot
Buy cheap tickets for The Cabinet Minister
Buy cheap tickets for How to Survive Your Mother
Buy cheap tickets for Stranger Things
Buy cheap tickets for Lonely Londoners