Our latest specially commissioned production celebrating great writers focuses on renowned British neurologist Oliver Sacks. His 1973 collection of beautifully crafted case histories, Awakenings was an instant success, inspiring many writers and artists. Via performance and commentary we explore two outstanding examples, Harold Pinter’s A Kind of Alaska and Brian Friel’s Molly Sweeney, with reference to Sacks’ original case history. Cast includes: the title star of ITV’s Doctor Finlay David Rintoul; Geraldine James, whose five-decade career has ranged from her award-winning Portia alongside Dustin Hoffman in The Merchant of Venice to Netflix’s Anne With An E; West End regular Mark Bazeley, best known on screen for Broadchurch, Home Fires and playing Alistair Campbell in The Queen; W1A & Talking Heads star Monica Dolan, winner of a BAFTA for Appropriate Adult and an Oliver for All About Eve; and, returning from our 2020 Dorothy Parker event, Tom Goodman-Hill (Spamalot, The Imitation Game). Scripted by Tristram Powell and produced by Honor Borwick. Following the performance, there will be a discussion on Oliver Sacks, Harold Pinter and Brian Friel with Michael Billington, former drama critic of the Guardian and author of a biography of Harold Pinter; consultant neurologist and author Dr Guy Leschziner; and playwright and actor Alexis Zegerman, whose plays include The Fever Syndrome.