FROM the creators of highlyacclaimed, innovative shows, including The Bitches Box, The Missionary’s Position and Etherdome, comes a new show exploring one of the great moments in scientific discovery – the eternal human cancer cells.

In Penny Dreadful Theatre’s new show, How To Be Immortal, playing at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, on Saturday, writer Mira Dovreni weaves together two different stories contemplating immortality.

These are set in different centuries: the true story of Henrietta Lacks and her immortal cancer cells in the 1950s and a young couple in the present, who derive hope from her story.

A third story explores one of the most extraordinary advances in science: the mapping of DNA.

Created in collaboration with scientists from UCL and the University of Manchester and with original music based on a sound code interpreting DNA, the play blends science and human emotion. Rosa has fallen in love with Mick the decorator. She plays the cello, he plays the squeezebox – an unlikely combination but they sound great together.

Trouble is she’s pregnant and he’s about to die.

Henrietta Lacks died in West Virginia in 1951, but her cells are still alive, dividing endlessly in laboratories all over the world. It has taken Deborah years to come to terms with her mother’s death. Now she’s got to deal with her immortality.

Writer Mira Dovreni is one of the founders of Penny Dreadful Theatre and this is her debut as a playwright. Actor Clare Perkins has recently finished a season in EastEnders, playing Ava Hartman.

Director Kirsty Housley’s theatre credits include a recent international tour with Complicite.

Penny Dreadful Theatre explores forgotten figures from history, telling fascinating stories. How To Be Immortal is on Saturday, at 7.30pm.

Tickets, priced from £10 to £17.50, are available from the box office on 01723 370541 or online at sjt.uk.com