Science on Stage - Copenhagen Comes to Dublin

eireann.org

Science on Stage - Copenhagen Comes to Dublin

Science@Culture and Rough Magic Theatre Company present two public events to
coincide with the Irish premiere of Michael Frayn's award-winning play
'Copenhagen' - an introduction to the science, and a panel discussion of the
play and the issues raised.

All are welcome to these events, admission free, sponsored by the Institute of
Physics in Ireland.

Copenhagen, premiered at London's National Theatre in 1998, dramatizes an
historic wartime encounter between two giants of 20th century physics, Danish
physicist Niels Bohr and German physicist Werner Heisenberg. Each had played a
seminal role in the development of quantum mechanics - Heisenberg's
'uncertainty principle' remains a central tenet of quantum theory, while Bohr,
the presiding genius of the 'Copenhagen school', helped shape the emergence of
quantum theory.

The play deals with a controversial meeting in Copenhagen in the
autumn of 1941,
at a critical point in the second world war, when Heisenberg visited his old
mentor and counterpart, Bohr. To this day, speculation has raged over what was
discussed, for these men were among a handful of scientists capable of
contributing to the development of nuclear weapons.

Frayn's play gained added topicality with the release last month of certain
documents from the Bohr archive in Copenhagen (www.nba.nbi.dk/)

Praise for Copenhagen...
"A brilliant, gripping play which deals with just about the biggest ideas there
are. Frayn creates rivetting suspense and makes the discussion of quantum
physics seem like revelations of character"
(Jack Kroll, Newsweek)

"A profound and haunting meditation on the mysteries of human motivation"
(Paul Taylor, The Independent)

To coincide with the play's Irish premiere, Science@Culture and Rough Magic
Theatre Company (www.rough-magic.com), together with the Institute of Physics
(www.iop.org), are organising:

1] A Beginner's Guide to Quantum Theory: talk by Dr Sara McMurry (TCD physics
department), introducing 'the quantum revolution: the people and ideas in the
first half of the 20th century that changed our view of the physical world'.
Wednesday April 24th 6.30pm, Project Theatre, admission free (the talk is open
to all; it is followed at 8pm by a performance of the play, for which of course
tickets are required).

2] Complementarity & Uncertainty: Exploring Michael Frayn's Copenhagen as a
crossroads between physics and history; science and the arts. Panel discussion,
with: Prof Declan Kiberd (UCD English department), Prof Denjoe O'Connor (School
of Theoretical Physics, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies), Lynne Parker
(director of Copenhagen, artistic director of Rough Magic Theatre Company, and
an associate director of the Abbey Theatre), Prof Iggy McGovern and Dr Sara
McMurry (TCD physics department).
Saturday April 27th 3 pm, Project Theatre, admission free

The play runs at Dublin's Project Theatre from April 19th-May 11th (previews
April 17-18th)
cast: Declan Conlon, Ingrid Craigie and Owen Roe; directed by Lynne Parker
Project Theatre, Temple Bar / Box Office: 881 9613

Opening night Friday 19th April; Performances Monday-Saturday at 8pm until May
11th
Tickets euro16/euro10 – all seats euro10 on Mondays
Previews 17th, 18th April: euro10/euro8

For some of the discussion about 'Copenhagen', see:
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/features/2002/0415/3929406636ATMONCOPENHAGEN.html
http://web.gc.cuny.edu/content/ashp/nml/copenhagen/
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/07/science/07BOMB.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/09/arts/theater/09FRAY.html
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/15225
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/15226

Ends

DeVore

This is a terrific play (I've read the part of Heisenberg myself!)

Its not too hard to understand though the author didnt tone down the science, which is just as well because its important to the plot.

I'm going to go along and see it and I'll let you all know whats its like.

DeV.