Salon: Invisible Forces

Join musician and theatre-maker Zoë Barry, Associate Professor Jonathan W Marshall and Chamber Made as we delve into the research and themes that underpin The Nervous Atmosphere.

Well before embarking on The Nervous Atmosphere, Zoë was fascinated by the work of 19th century French neurologist Dr Jean-Martin Charcot, whose studies in science, parascience, magnetism and mesmerism both entranced audiences and divided medical and scientific communities.

After her extreme encounter with nature, Zoë found that Charcot’s experiments with electromagnetism, and the promise of invisible forces to affect and heal nervous function, strongly resonated with her experience and symptoms.

In this fascinating discussion, Zoë is joined by Associate Professor Jonathan W Marshall, author of Performing Neurology: The Dramaturgy of Dr Jean-Martin Charcot and Chamber Made Communications Manager and writer Emilie Collyer to explore the ideas that fed Charcot’s work, and the profound experience that charges The Nervous Atmosphere.

This event is held in conjunction with the world premiere of The Nervous Atmosphere, presented Wednesday 13 – Sunday 17 September 2023 at Arts House.

Listen here to a full audio recording of the Salon.

Read Jonathan W Marshall’s article: ‘Nervous Atmospheres: Parascientific Theories of the Mind & Hypnosis During the Victorian Era’.