The National Theatre revives The Doctor’s Dilemma, Bernard Shaw’s funny and incisive drama about a physician with the power to save lives and the moral obligation to choose his patients carefully.

On the world renowned Harley Street works doctor Sir Colenso Ridgeon who has a revolutionary treatment for tuberculosis but only has the resources to work with 10 patients. Hence, The Doctor’s Dilemma.

When the striking and persuasive Jennifer Dubedat strolls into Ridgeon’s life, intent on convincing the doctor to save the life of her brilliant artist husband, the medical man invites the couple to dinner so that he and his colleagues can assess the case. Beguiled by the charismatic Dubedat and his wife, they consider his a worthy life, even at the expense of another. Yet it is not long before they are given cause to question their decision.

Meanwhile, their impoverished colleague Blenkinsop is himself in real need of treatment.

The Doctor’s Dilemma explores the dubious ethics of men who play God with an irreverent glee.