The Harry Harlow Project

Overview

Love is a powerful word, and Harry Harlow unleashed its power onto the scientific community in 1958 when he wrote a paper referencing that love was essential to human development. This was revolutionary in science at the time. Harlow learnt this through the experiments he undertook with baby rhesus monkeys. Harlow’s research was the scientific basis for the understanding of child abuse, neglect, depression and healthy approaches to child rearing.

In his experiments, Harlow went into some dark places to explore the other side of love and the cruelty that can be unleashed. This was in part due to the workings of Harlow’s mind, as he explored emotions, grief, pain, insecurities and ethics through his work.

The Harry Harlow Project is the first work written by James Saunders and was created in collaboration with director, Brian Lipson, Kelly Ryall (Sound Design) and Martyn Coutts (Video Design) to form a mixed media theatre piece, featuring James Saunders as Harry Harlow. The production has toured widely to a range of festivals and theatres across the country, and has been widely acclaimed as a beautifully, fascinating theatre work.