Thalidomide t he drug was developed by an ex-Nazi party member and was later sold with minimal testing to expectant mums to beat morning sickness. It caused thousands of children to be born with terrible disabilities.

Thalidomide!! A Musical was commissioned and developed at Battersea Arts Centre and is now on tour on across the UK because it caused hundreds of people to fall about laughing. Written and composed by disabled actor Mat Fraser, this musical tells the story of the drug, its use and its continued affect on thousands of people world wide. The main story is based around Glyn (Mat Fraser) and Katie (Anna Winslet) who grow up together, falling in love with each other.

Fraser draws upon a mass of genres to tell his story, there are no shortage of good ideas in this production and lots of songs like I can be his Arms and Talk to the Flipper . The set is shoddy, and the scene changes are a good bit longer than they need to be but Thalidomide!! has a good story to share, some very funny songs and many hilarious moments. Good for a laugh. ***

22nd Nov - Colchester Arts Centre; 23rd Nov - Croydon Clocktower; 24th Nov - Unity Theatre, Liverpool; 26th Nov - Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham; 28th Nov - Phoenix, Exeter; 29th Nov - Darlington Arts Centre; 1st - 3rd Dec - Royal Exchange Studio, Manchester.