by Judy Upton
Touring London Schools
27th June - 15th July

Funded by the Royal Veterinary College Widening participation programme

Supported by the Kings Widening participation programme

“the earlier we encourage our children to consider ethical matters, the more rounded and informed the views of future society will be.

Productions such as Pig in the Middle can teach the skills of rationalisation in an accessible form and can give valuable insight into the real world". ……Jane de Burgh - The Lancet

15-year-old Ryan loves football. 16 year old Gemma loves animals.  Ryan eats Macdonalds. Gemma is a strict vegetarian. 

They have nothing in common except a serious kidney disorder and a future of frustrating and exhausting treatment, but it’s enough for them to fall in love. 

Then Ryan is offered a new kidney that could change his life, but it comes from a genetically modified pig, and Ryan has a choice…

Pig in the Middle is a play by award winning playwright Judy Upton.  It is an offbeat love story set in the dialysis ward of the local hospital.  It explores the serious social, moral and scientific implications of transplanting animal organs to humans.

“Excellent. The play was well written and managed to include the essential science / medical details in a way that made them integral to, not ‘bolted on’ to the story.

The Debate was very useful for the pupils and its style enabled many to express their views. 

The education pack is a valuable resource for a module on genetics” - Deborah Dalton, Toynbee Secondary School

Y Touring Theatre Company originally developed this project in partnership with the Nuffield Council on Bioethics in 1997.

The first tour of schools throughout the U.K. was funded by the Nuffield Council, The Wyse Elliot Trust and the British Heart foundation.

A second U.K tour was funded in 1999 by the Wellcome Trust and the Office of Science and Technology. Subsequently, Pig in the Middle toured Holland funded by the Rathenau Institute and the Dutch government.

Rigorous evaluation has proved that Pig in the Middle is a valuable educational resource for Science, Drama, English, Citizenship and R.E. teachers

Pig in the Middle targets 14-16 year old students (humanities and science)

Online support materials for teachers and students will be available shortly.