l-llSTOPICAL. DRAMA COPENHAGEN Citizens’ Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 8—Sat 12 Oct
The science and arts communities rarely fuse, but Michael Frayn achieved just such a feat with Copenhagen. His play - a runaway hit at London’s National Theatre - explores the relationship of the Danish physicist Niels Bohr and his German counterpart Werner Heisenberg, focusing on their controversial meeting to discuss nuclear physics in 1941 during World War II. It raises issues that scientists and historians have argued about for years, such as Heisenberg’s motivations in visiting Bohr - who was on the enemy side — and why the meeting turned hostile.
For many audiences, a play about quantum physics might be daunting. But director Alistair McCrone of Mull Theatre, the first company in Scotland to produce Copenhagen, disagrees. ‘It’s an
Physics all theatre
incredibly powerful play, and although the quantum mechanics are part of the play it’s not obtrusive,’ he says. ‘Audiences at Mull were worried that they wouldn’t be able to keep up because the subject would be too remote and challenging, but people don’t need to know about quantum physics to
watch Copenhagen.’
The play isn’t only about the Bohr and Heisenberg meeting, but an exploration of trust, human relations and a complex moral dilemma. It is not an easy play to watch; McCrone says it’s the hardest piece he’s ever
directed.
Nevertheless, he doesn’t believe that the play’s success and the attention it has received depend solely on its controversial subject matter. ‘You forget the controversy when you see the play,’ he says. ‘lt’s easy to stress the subject matter, but the reason the play works is because it’s a play about people and it’s why Frayn wrote it as a play.’
(Shou-Ling Cheung)
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HOMERS
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, Wed 9—Sat 19 Oct
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Theatre
CDNTFMPOPARY DANCE WALKER DANCE & PARK MUSIC
Traverse Theatre, Sat 12 Oct.
MUSIC and n‘ove'r‘ent "say. he (:on‘ft, t)(:~<ltello‘.':s. hat for: dance (30't‘llélrtt08 are pulling to gm;- the'r‘ eouaé status. Not so \.'.’a|ker Danee. Not on}; (loes artistic (lrreetor. Frr‘. \."'.’a’.ker lll‘.'li(} 'lltlSlClZiliS onto the stage. but she's changed her corr‘nany's name to reflect the l)!‘.’()i£il role 'lltlSlC plays I". ner creations. 'The t'.'.'o eon‘ponents are integral and ‘l.o;.' (:ari't (lrxoree one from the other.. says ‘.’.’a|ker. 'lt's a hierareh, of the senses — sorr‘e people are more aaral than xzsual. so ailo's.’ the'“ to go 3:21“ the 't‘;l53l(2 "atl‘er tl‘an .'.'l‘at th(:',"’(3 Iookrnj a'..' Hence the nanie change to \'.’a|Ker Da'tee & Park Mnsre iltéi'llfitl after Ber‘ Park. ‘.'."alker's erstsxhzle eollahor'ator ant: henno eo't‘pr szngj six (laneer‘s and tour 'ritisletar‘s. Together the-,‘IE be present ng a (ll‘.'(3l‘f;(3 triple-hri' featuring;
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PARKING LOT IN PITTSBURGH
Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy, until Sat 5 Oct, then touring OOO
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THE LIST 69