The Matilda Effect by Anna Reynolds
A special performance reading with Q&A

On International Woman's Day 2025, BEAM audiences have the chance to see material from the latest play by Anna Reynolds, author of the hit show Nothing on Earth, which was presented in Hertford previously as part of its national tour.

Reynolds' punchy, amusing and provocative new play shines a light on challenges faced by women scientists throughout history.

In The Matilda Effect, we meet three women, all called Matilda.
We visit three time zones: then, now, and still developing.
And we encounter a giant amount of mansplaining.

Matilda is a climate pioneer.
Mattie is a geneticist.
Tilly is a physicist.

But every time one of them gets close to the Big Idea, or the Big Prize, Tom, Dick and Harry are there, standing in front of her.

An extract from The Matilda Effect will be presented in a lively script-in-hand performance format, directed by Pursued by a Bear’s Artistic Director, Rosamunde Hutt. It will be followed by a Q&A with Reynolds, Hutt, and the cast. This is your chance to enjoy and respond to some wonderful new playwriting and to debate “The Matilda Effect” – then and … now?

This event is produced by Pursued by a Bear with support from Omnibus Theatre London’s ‘Engine Room’ programme and BEAM Hertford.

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Age Recommendation	12+
Running Time	One Hour (no interval)