Fertility Fest 2018
Bush Theatre

8-13 may 2018

Key event: Tue 8 May 2018

21 Miles book launch

“Just delicious… it has made me feel better in a world where infertility can make you feel pretty rubbish” Lisa Faulkner

Jessica Hepburn opens the festival with the publication of her new book 21 Miles: Swimming in search of the meaning of motherhood.

Artist: Jessica Hepburn | Chair: Janet Ellis

Gina Glover Art in ART

Throughout the festival

The Exhibition

A private view of work by visual artists on the subject of fertility

Artists

Anna Burel, Fiona Duffelen, Foz Foster and Gina Glover

wed 9 may 2018

TTC AND THE TWO WEEK WAIT

Support and advice for those in fertility treatment and in the two week wait

Fertility Experts

Rachel Cathan, Tracey Sainsbury and Francesca Steyn

wed 9 may 2018

FERTILITY STORIES PLAYBACK

An improvised theatre performance playing-back audience members fertility experiences

Theatre Company

Drunken Sailor

wed 9 may 2018

men have infertility too

A session dedicated to the male experience of infertility

Artists

Thomas Webb and Louise Ann Wilson

Chair

Anthony Ryb

WED 9 MAY 2018

ONE MORE SHOT:FILM SCREENING

A film documenting the lows and highs of a couple’s journey with infertility, followed by a live Q&A after

Producers

Maya Grobel and Noah Moskin

WED 9 MAY 2018

THERE’S ‘MORE TO LIFE’ THAN HAVING CHILDREN

A host of special guests being interviewed on stage, discussing how there is more to life than having children

Special Guests

Jody Day, Jessica Hepburn, Andrew and Nicci Fletcher, Berenice Smith and Stephanie Phillips, Kelly Da Silva, Lesley Pyne and Louise Ann Wilson.

Interviewer

Catherine Strawbridge

thu 10 may 2018

life and lunch: parents and ivf babies

A parent and IVF babies club to discuss how it feels to become a parent after struggling to conceive

Special Guests

Saskia Boujo, Helen Davies and Gabby Vautier

thu 10 may 2018

infertility bloggers unite

An opportunity for infertility bloggers to unite, trade tips and talk trolls

Sponsor

myLotus Fertility Monitor

thu 10 may 2018

FERTILITY FREEDOM SCRATCH NIGHT

A host of performers showcasing new and emerging work, including music, theatre, poetry and more

Artists

Ariella Eshed, Bob Strawbridge, Claire Taylor, Elis Matthews, Get Lucky Theatre, Jamie Anderson, Justine Bold, Samina Khan, Sarah Esdaile and Sharmila Chauhan

 

Curated and directed by

Tian Glasgow

FRI 11 MAY 2018

40 YEARS OF IVF

A session marking the 40th anniversary of the birth of the world’s first IVF baby, with discussions on the way the human race is being made today

Artist

Gina Glover

Fertility Experts

Dr Kay Elder, Sally Chesire and Dr Roy Farquharson

Chair

Kate Brian

Fri 11 may 2018

the doctor in the bedroom

Photographer Sophie Ingleby talks about her project documenting the journey of the fertility patient and author Izzy Judd uncovers how it feels to struggle to conceive

Artists

Sophie Ingelby and Izzy Judd

Fertility Experts

Dr Jane Stewart and Dr James Nicopoullos

Chair

Sophie Sulehria

fri 11 may 2018

FERTILITY AND THE BODY

Two dance artists show their work, exploring infertility and how it makes you feel about your body

Artists

Maria Da Luz Ghoumrassi and Shantel Ehrenberg

Fertility Experts

Barbara Scott and Jane Denton

Chair

Kate Brian

fri 11 may 2018

THE INVISIBLE MAN

A screening of The Crossing and excerpt of The Easy Bit, exploring the male experience of infertility

Artists

Jack King and Thomas Webb

Fertility Experts

Dr Wael Saab and Dr Sheryl Homa

 

Chair

Natalie Silverman

fri 11 may 2018

race, religion and reproduction

A discussion on the different community pressures and prejudices on infertility

Artists

Satinder Chohan, Somalia Seaton and Rachel Giles

Fertility Expert

Dr Veronique Berman

 

Chair

Jo Ind

fri 11 may 2018

WHEN ART DOESN’T WORK

A discussion of how it feels when assisted reproductive technology doesn’t work, with a performance of poetry cycle Ghost Lines and excerpts of documentary Without Child

Artists

Julia Copus and Katie Barlow

Fertility Experts

Jacky Boivin and Anthony Ryb

Chair

Sheridan Voysey

fri 11 may 2018

the business of fertility

A talk from two writers on their views of the fertility industry

Artists

Jemma Kennedy and Alice Jolly

Fertility Experts

Professor Adam Balen and Sarah Norcross

Chair

Natalia Silverman

fri 11 may 2018

fertility fight club

Artists and fertility experts take to the stage to fight for what they believe in, regarding fertility, infertility, modern families and the science of making babies

The Fight Clubbers

Sarah Esdaile, Dr Zeynep Gurtin, Joyce Harper and Sheridan Voysey

FRI 11 MAY 2018

CHOICES

A playwright guiding through two intimate stories of women faced with the complex challenges of reproductive choice

Written and performed by

Stacey Gregg

Directed by

Emma Callander

fri 11 may 2018

eggsistentialism

Looking down the barrel of her final fertile years, one woman goes on a comical quest to uncover the if, hows and crucially the whys of reproducing her genes

Written and performed by

Joanne Ryan

Supported by

Culture Ireland’s GB18: Promoting Irish Arts in Britain programme

throughout the day

the quiet room

A space for retreat and reflection

sat 12 may 2018

MODERN FAMILIES

A short play about making families today titled ‘Aloe Aloe’, followed by a discussion of the routes of parenthood

Artists

Camilla Whitehill and Lucy Jane Atkinson

Fertility Experts

Anya Sizer and Mr Anil Gudi

Chair

Natalie Silverman

sat 12 may 2018

what comes first the career or the egg?

A play charting the strain of IVF on a career driven couple

Artists

White Slate Theatre and Diane Chandler

Fertility Experts

Prof Joyce Harper and Shaun Rogers

Chair

Farrah Nazir

sat 12 may 2018

the unborn child

A session with a live excerpt from author Tessa Broad’s book Dear You and a talk from artist Tina Reid about her project Photos I’ll Never Take

Artists

Tessa Broad and Tina Reid

Fertility Experts

Dr Robin Hadley and Stephanie Philips

Chair

Natalie Silverman

sat 12 may 2018

NO LONGER EXTRAORDINARY:PARENTING AFTER IVF

A talk from Anna Furse and Nina Klaff about their project To The Moon and Back, with Drunken Sailor Theatre Company performing work in progress cabaret performance scenes

Artists

Prof Anna Furse, Nina Klaff and Drunken Sailor

Fertility Expert

Kate Brian

Chair

Victoria Macdonald

sat 12 may 2018

#awkward

Two artists explore their perspective on the language of fertility, infertility and why it is so #awkward

Artists

Anna German and Lizzie Lowrie

Fertility Expert

Dr Vivienne Hall

 

Chair

Farrah Nazir

sat 12 may 2018

the m word: miscarriage not motherhood

Award winning artists Foz Foster and Tabitha Moses, explore how miscarriage influenced their creative practice

Artists

Foz Foster and Tabitha Moses

Fertility Expert

Professor Simon Fishel and Professor Lesley Regan

 

Chair

Kate Brian

sat 12 may 2018

THE GIFT

Theatre artists Maud Dromgoole and Kazuko Hohki explore the dark and light of the gift of donation

Artists

Maud Dromgoole and Kazuko Hohki

Fertility Experts

Nina Barnsley and Professor Nicky Hudson

Chair

Victoria Macdonald

sat 12 may 2018

fertility FIGHT CLUB

Four artists and fertility experts take to the stage to fight for what they believe in in the field of fertility, infertility, modern families and the science of making babies

Fight Clubbers

Laura Spoelstra, Jody Day, Professor Geeta Nargund and Sarfraz Manzoor

sat 12 may 2018

CHOICES

A playwright guiding through two intimate stories of women faced with the complex challenges of reproductive choice

Written and performed by

Stacey Gregg

Directed by

Emma Callander

sat 12 may 2018

eggsistentialism

Looking down the barrel of her final fertile years, one woman goes on a comical quest to uncover the if, hows and crucially the whys of reproducing her genes

Written and performed by

Joanne Ryan

Supported by

Culture Ireland’s GB18: Promoting Irish Arts in Britain programme

throughout the day

the quiet room

A space for retreat and reflection

SUN 13 MAY 2018

does motherhood make you happy?

Jessica Hepburn talks about her new book, 21 Miles: Swimming in the search of the meaning of motherhood

Artists

Jessica Hepburn and Gabby Vautier

Fertility Experts

Yvonne John and Sue Macmillan

Chair

Kate Brian

sun 13 may 2018

unpregnancy: Infertility before ivf

What can we learn from the past about how infertility should be treated today?

Artists

Anna Burel, Isabel Davis and Emma Cunniffe

Fertility Expert

Dr Tracey Loughran

Chair

Julia Bueno

sun 13 may 2018

you, me and the pornstar

Aaron Deemer talks about his project which documents semen producing clinic rooms. Gareth Farr talks about his writing looking at the experience of IVF on a man

Artists

Aaron Deemer and Gareth Farr

Fertility Experts

Dr Benjamin Abramov and Dr Esmee Hanna

Chair

Natalie Silverman

sun 13 may 2018

the queer family

A discussion on the Queer Family, family-making in the future and what challenges that still need to be overcome

Artists

Chris Harper and Jamie Anderson

Fertility Experts

Professor Susan Bewley and Erika Tranfield

Chair

James Mackenzie Blackman

sun 13 may 2018

generation ivf

Vivienne Franzmann discusses her play – Bodies. Gareth Farr and Matthew Dunster talk about their new piece exploring the IVF generation

Artists

Vivienne Franzmann, Gareth Farr and Matthew Dunster

Fertility Expert

Dr Sophie Zadeh

Chair

Natalie Silverman

sUN 13 MAY 2018

HOW TO MAKE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL OUT OF A MESS

Whatever your outcome after struggling to conceive it will be better if you learn how to make something beautiful out of a mess

Artists

Fiona Duffelen and Paula Knight

Fertility Expert

Tracey Sainsbury and Carmel Dennehy

Chair

Kate Brian

sun 13 may 2018

the future of fertility

Sarah Douglas and Adam Peacock talk about their projects, with focus on brands and fertility

Artists

Sarah Douglas and Adam Peacock

Fertility Expert

Dr Güneş Taylor and Sandy Starr

Chair

Professor Joyce Harper

sun 13 may 2018

fertility fight club

Four artists and fertility experts take to the stage to fight for what they believe in in the field of fertility, infertility, modern families and the science of making babies

Fight Clubbers

Josh Appignanesi, Professor Emily Jackson, Diane Chandler and Stella Duffy

Chair

James Mackenzie Blackman

sun 13 may 2018

the rhythm method

A 45-minute presentation of a new musical in development followed by an opportunity to discuss the material with the creative team

Written by

Gwyneth Herbert and Diane Samuels

Creative Team

Titania Krimpas, Annie Wensak, Emilie Ruddock, Fra Fee, Jennifer Caldwell, Melanie Marshall, Ned Cartwright, Robbie Robson, Will Collie Stage, Annie Brett, Neil Marcus and Rachel Kraftman

Supported by

Wellcome Trust

sun 13 may 2018

FILM SCREENING: THE NEW MAN

A film documenting a married couple on their journey to become parents in an era of later parenthood, IVF and the crisis of masculinity

Directed by

Josh Appignanesi and Devorah Baum

throughout the day

the quiet room

A space for retreat and reflection

the exhibition

anna burel- conceiving histories

A collaboration between artist Anna Burel and Isabel Davis which explores the history of ‘un-pregnancy’

the exhibition

FIONA DUFFELEN- LESS BITTER, MORE GLITTER

New Commission especially for Fertility Fest 2018

THE EXHIBITION

GINA GLOVER- LIFE IN GLASS

Glover’s work draws on the photographic archive of Professor Robert Edwards and aims to enhance the experience of the clinical environment

THE EXHIBITION

foz foster- labour of love

Labour of Love is an extensive body of artwork that celebrates the lives of Foz Foster’s three children who were lost through miscarriage

tue 8 – sun 13 may 2018

the quiet room

Throughout the festival weekend, The Quiet Room (located in the Bush’s Reading Room) will offer festival-goers a space for retreat and reflection

ESHRE logo

Fertility Fest @ ESHRE

sun 1 – Wed 4 july 2018 barcelona, spain

Artists: Paula Bonet, Thomas Webb, Foz Foster, Tina Reid Peršin

Paula Bonet

Paula Bonet

Paula Bonet is an artist whose work centres in oil painting, engraving and illustration. She has exhibited in Barcelona, Madrid, Porto, Paris, London, Belgium, Urbino, Berlin, Santiago de Chile, Valencia, Miami and Mexico. She has also published several successful books: Qué hacer cuando en la pantalla aparece The End, 813 Truffaut, La sed, Quema la memoria, Escribe con Rosa Montero, Por el olvido, and soon, Roedores: Cuerpo de embarazada sin embrión.

After suffering her first miscarriage, Paula Bonet got pregnant again with a girl, for whom she wrote and painted Roedores, a book which is both a story and a love letter to a daughter who ultimately could not be born either. It is an intimate journal in which she shares her hopes and her fears in an attempt to understand the trauma and the corporeity of absence. In this she enlightens one of the darkest abysses avoided by so many women, giving voice to the silence, breaking a taboo and normalizing a reality that is so common, and yet so traumatic.

Thomas Webb

Thomas Webb

Thomas Webb started making short films in his early teens and his love of film-making continued into his career. He currently works as the Head of Creative at Upbeat, a digital agency that covers video production and web development. In his spare time he still makes short films – his latest Hyper Jump has been screened at the Raindance Film Festival and the London Short Film Festival.

The Easy Bit is Tom’s first feature length documentary. It is inspired by Tom and his wife’s eleven year fertility journey. During this time they decided to write a blog about their experiences. One of the most surprising reactions to the blog was the fact that a lot of readers had never read a male account of IVF. Tom decided that regardless of the outcome of their treatment something positive should be created and the idea of a documentary about the male perspective of fertility treatment formed.

Foz Foster

Foz Foster

Foz Foster is an award-winning artist and senior lecturer. His work is exhibited extensively – most recently Love Dad and Labour of Love in London and Resurrections in New York.

Foz makes artwork about things that are important to him, often autobiographical. His content liberates, has a point of view and demonstrates a love of making. The imagery always relates to his ‘everyday’, the ordinary being ‘extra ordinary’. Previous content explored includes AIDS & HIV, biblical narratives, sexual fetishism and currently emotional battles within the everyday in his project Home Front.

Labour of Love is an extensive body of artwork that celebrates the lives of Foz’s three children lost through miscarriage and aims to challenge the perception that miscarriage happens only to women. Pain will not have the last word is a 76ft scroll painting that explores the everyday experiences and joys of being a dad. The work is not sentimental or depressing but has an authenticity, integrity and a tenderness that breaks down the perception of who experiences miscarriage. The work acts as a double-edged sword between the joys and despairs of an expectant dad.

Tina Reid Peršin

Tina Reid Peršin

Tina Reid Peršin is an artist who uses photography, live art and installation. Her project Photos I’ll Never Take has been exhibited in a group show in Hastings (2011), a solo show at Brighton Photo Fringe (2012), the Photofusion annual salon in London (2012) and the East Sussex Open at the Towner Gallery (2013).

The project explores the concept of the perfect family, particularly focusing on society’s reaction to the childless. In the background is the modern feminist ideal of the woman who has it all. This, according to studies, has led to an increasing number of women who have delayed their childbearing too long, whilst following careers, and are now involuntarily childless, many after unsuccessful IVF which is also Tina’s experience. But whilst social conventions have changed and the notion of an ideal family with two heterosexual parents, married with children is becoming increasingly rare, the traditional model is still seen as aspirational, promoted by mass media and politicians.