A new U.K. musical is focused on cancer. Perhaps not the first subject considered for a ‘song-and-dance’ play, A Pacifist’s Guide to the War on Cancer examines five stories of cancer and is currently playing at London’s National Theatre through November 29 (H/T New Scientist).
Both the title and the notion of a cancer musical suggest a work that will also explore the meaning of the ‘war on cancer’ metaphor. And while policy around cancer can be focused on a top-down, 30,000-foot perspective on the disease, individual stories can help provide a different perspective on what it means to fight cancer, and circumstances in which framing the matter as a fight or a war may not be helpful for patients, or for understanding the disease and how it affects those who have it.
But better to let people involved with making the play speak to its subject.
Or maybe you just want to hear some music?
Pasco Phronesis 