The Tables Turned is a public event that was developed by members of the British Society for the History of Science for audiences of young people. It has been performed several times over the last five years. The key aim is to explore the question ‘How are facts made in science’? using a Victorian séance as its vehicle.

The Tables Turned uses role play in which performers in costume assume a number of roles, and the audience are encouraged to participate as members of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society. A meeting of the Society has been convened in 1860 to hear evidence by two eminent scientists, a poet and a journalist on their experiences of attending a séance. The audience are asked to consider evidence on the truth of such phenomena as table turning, the question of whether scientists should be called upon to judge such events and the reasons why little consensus emerged about the truth of spiritualism in the nineteenth century.

Come along to see a staging of the event, join in the role-play exercise and participate in discussion about exploring potentially difficult epistemological issues with non-specialist audiences.

This public event has an admission fee of £5, except for students and retired attendees, who are admitted for free. Please make your own way to the Portico.

There will also be a free performance of this event, for Congress attendees only, on the University site on Friday afternoon: please see event E310 on the Special Sessions programme.