An Instinct for Kindness, Trafalgar Studios

Written and performed by Chris Larner
Directed by Hannah Eidinow
Lighting by James Smith

In November 2010, Chris Larner accompanied his chronically ill ex-wife to Dignitas in Switzerland. He returned home with an empty wheelchair and a story to tell.

This extraordinary solo performance has been acclaimed by press and public alike. With the contentious issue of assisted suicide currently being debated in parliament, this is an urgently relevant piece of theatre. The production premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe 2011, where it won the Scotsman Fringe First award. It now plays the West End for three weeks only.

Powerfully moving and gripping, Larner’s show is by turns funny and heart-rending. His brilliant script and performance draw us inexorably into the haunting, human story of a woman making the ultimate decision about her own life. 

‘Fantastic. A show that reminds us that how we die is as important as how we live.’ ****
The Guardian

‘Intensely moving. Larner relates it all with a clear-eyed, occasionally funny, occasionally horrifying lack of sentimentality.’ ****
The Independent

‘A wonderfully subtle and deceptively understated performance. This is story-telling of a very high order.’ ****
The Times
 

The show has secured an excellent line-up of post show speakers to discuss the issues raised in the show after certain performances which are free to attends for ticket holders:

Thursday 12 April (7.45pm) – Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain MBE is a rabbi, writer and broadcaster, minister of Maidenhead Synagogue. He has a PhD in the history of British Jewry. In 2003, he received the MBE for his pioneering work in helping mixed-faith couples nationally.

Monday 16 April (7.45pm) – Sir Graeme Catto and Dr Peter Saunders in discussion with Hardeep Singh Kohli. Sir Graeme Catto is President of the College of Medicine and the Chair of Dignity in Dying. He was formerly the President of the General Medical Council and was a member of the Falconer Commission on Assisted Dying. Dr Peter Saunders is the campaign director of the Care Not Killing alliance. Hardeep Singh Kohli is a British writer, broadcaster and comedian. Hardeep is a frequent guest on BBC1's Question Time, This Week with Andrew Neil and The One Show.

Tuesday 17 April (7.45pm) – Andrew Copson became Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association in January 2010. His writing on humanist and secularist issues has appeared widely in the media.

Saturday 28 April (7.45pm) – Sir Terence English is a retired cardiac surgeon. Sir Terence was elected President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England from 1989 t0 1992, and President of the British Medical Association in 1995-1996.