The Power of Placebo
The Power of Placebo was a national programme of events to accompany our 2018 production Placebo.
Placebo is underpinned by research into the “placebo response” – a measurable effect which occurs when a person is given a treatment considered ‘fake’ or ‘inactive’, but experiences an improvement in health regardless. Scientific research has shown that the colour or size of pills can impact on their perceived effectiveness, that sham surgery can create lasting pain relief, and that the ‘performance’ of the doctor can impact medical outcomes. Some placebo treatments have even been shown to create measurable physiological change in the brain and the immune system.
What are the ramifications of this research for the way we think about and practice healthcare? Is modern medicine making the most of the power of placebo?
Events in The Power of Placebo brought together scientists, artists, architects, ethicists, writers and anthropologists. The season explored how our attitudes, beliefs, relationships, rituals and environments can affect health for better or worse.
Explore the full programme of events and view the season programme below:
Sound Affects: Sound & Wellbeing - The Rose Hill Tavern, Brighton, 19 September
Post-Show Q&A - The Lowry, Salford, 12 October
Doctor You - The Lowry, Salford, 13 October
Feeling Better - Brighton & Sussex Medical School, 15 October
Pre-Show Q&A - Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, Brighton, 16 October
Post-Show Q&A - UCLan, Preston, 19 October
Embodying Space: Can Architecture Create A Placebo Effect? - Royal Academy of Arts, London, 22 October
Sound Affects: Sound & Wellbeing - Gorilla, Manchester, 23 October
Sound, Wellbeing and Environments - Harris Museum Art Gallery & Library, Preston, 24 October
Social Prescription - The Whitworth, Manchester, 25 October
Moving Medicine - The Place, London, 1 November
Agents of Change - Wellcome Collection, London, 3 November
Bee Myths - Wellcome Collection, London, 4 November
Performing Medicine Workshop - The Place, London, 6 November
Post-Show Q&A - The Place, London, 7 November
Hospital Environments - Wellcome Collection, London, 8 November
Alex Mermikides; Amy Shelton; Andrew Hall; Anita Shervington; Anthony Jones; Bobbie Farsides; Gianna Bouchard; Hana Ayoob; Hollie Massey; Jeremy Howick; John Burnside; John Drever; Jo Marchant; Jon Stone; Jo Ward; Laura Marshall-Andrews; Lisa Quadt; Michelle Howarth; Paul Clark; Peggy Shaw; Ria Hartley; Sandeep Ranote; Suzy Willson; Wendy Gallagher
