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A Night at the Theatre: How Dr. Semmelweis Inspired my Passion for Soapmaking

Writer's picture: Penny ManningPenny Manning

In 2022, my husband Dean, came home from work with a surprise that would always stay with me. “I’ve booked us two tickets to see a play at the Bristol Old Vic,” he said. He couldn’t recall the title or the storyline, but he did know one key detail—Mark Rylance, one of my favorite actors, was starring in it. That alone was enough to spark my excitement. Little did I know the evening would turn out to be more than just an entertaining night at the theatre; it would weave itself into the fabric of my growing business and passion.




At the time, my fledgling business was slowly taking shape. I had started making soap as a personal experiment to alleviate my challenging skin, prone to breakouts and irritation. What began as a simple pursuit of a solution had blossomed into something much bigger. And then came this play, seemingly unrelated but profoundly impactful.


The production was called Dr. Semmelweis. It told the story of Ignaz Semmelweis, a Hungarian doctor working in 19th-century Vienna. Though his name is not as widely known as Louis Pasteur or Joseph Lister, his contributions to medicine were groundbreaking. He observed that women in childbirth were dying at alarmingly high rates, particularly those treated by junior doctors who, whilst learning their trade, moved from one patient to another—or even from the mortuary—without washing their hands. At the time, handwashing was considered an unnecessary chore for busy physicians, and infection control wasn’t even a concept.


Dr. Semmelweis connected the dots and realised that unclean hands and instruments were causing postpartum infections, leading to untold suffering and death. His findings should have been celebrated, but instead, he was met with hostility. Many doctors were unwilling to accept that they might be responsible for the deaths of their patients. Some clung to outdated beliefs, like the notion that childbirth trauma or a supposed deficiency in women’s bodies was to blame. One male midwife even suggested that women “corrupted their blood” during pregnancy through their thoughts and emotions. The arrogance and obstinance of the medical establishment were staggering.


Despite proving that handwashing drastically reduced mortality rates, Dr. Semmelweis faced rejection from his peers. His outspoken nature alienated him further, and he was eventually committed to an asylum by his fellow physicians, where he died tragically at the age of 47. Today, he is rightly recognised as the “Saviour of Mothers” and a pioneer in infection control.


The play was powerful, poignant, and timely. It resonated deeply as we were emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when handwashing and infection control were once again at the forefront of everyone’s minds. For me, it held an additional layer of relevance. As a soap maker, I was struck by how this humble product—a simple bar of soap—could play such a crucial role in saving lives.


Dr. Semmelweis
Dr. Semmelweis

Dr. Semmelweis’s story underscored the importance of what I do every day. While my soaps are crafted to soothe and pamper, they are also rooted in the essential purpose of cleansing and protecting. Since that evening at the Bristol Old Vic, my passion for soapmaking has grown exponentially. Learning about the history and significance of soap only deepens my appreciation for this craft. I’m constantly reminded that there’s always more to discover, more to refine, and more to share with the world. And of course, the joy of using a gentle, beautifully scented, skin-friendly bar of soap never gets old.


It will be 160 years since his death this year, and Dr. Semmelweis’s legacy lives on in every bar of soap I create, a quiet tribute to his brilliance and determination. That night at the theatre wasn’t just entertainment; it was an inspiration, a reminder of why I do what I do, and a nudge to keep learning and growing. Sometimes, the most unexpected moments can have the most profound impact, and for that, I am forever grateful to Dean for booking tickets for a play that he couldn’t even remember the name of!





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Joe
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Fascinating read, thanks for sharing it Steph.

J'aime

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