Although the majority of the play takes place in messy laboratories, designed to convey the importance of reaching a scientific conclusion as quickly as possible, the added dynamic of Ziegler’s strategy to have various characters narrating throughout the show meant that concessions would have to be made for this.

On stage, the main plot would occur at the front with a gilded cage-like structure at the back, slightly elevated, where the characters who provided interjection and voice-over would stand and observe though glass windows. It seemed particularly important to both Ziegler and her set design team that the Chorus of men stood observing Franklin as she worked, like a specimen in a jar. By sectioning off the stage and enabling the Chorus to watch as the narrative unfolded in front of them, Ziegler’s design not only echoed those of classical playwrights such as Euripides and Sophocles (who employed the use of a Chorus to interject the dialogue with sage observations) but also emphasised the feeling Franklin expressed of being constantly monitored whilst she worked.

The plot itself is set on the grounds of the prestigious King’s College in London and moves between the laboratory, Rosalind’s office and, on one occasion, an intimate table for two at a local café.