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Just a heads-up on a bit of fantastic programming for the UK folks, namely, a production of Michael Frayn's fantastic play, Copenhagen, on BBC4 this week. They're doing a whole night on the thing, the documentaries could be good, but if you can only watch 90 minutes instead of 180, WATCH IT. I'm aware people may not have it, but if you've got cable or digital, you should.
It's a play set in 1941 (IIRC), detailing a meeting between Heisenberg and Bohr, at Bohr's house, examining what happened and what went wrong. There are overtones of the nuclear problem - Heisenberg is working for the German govt., Bohr has left Germany in opposition - but that's not all going on. There are only three characters, and it's spellbinding - exploring emotional response to loss, quantum physics, and the second world war, amongst other things. The first half may be a little jarring depending on your knowledge of very basic quantum physics (Uncertainty Principle mainly (obviously)) - but don't worry, it's all explained as it goes on, and falls together wonderfully on the final curtain. The Uncertainty Principle is used as a metaphor; they draft and redraft the meeting, and the three characters on (when I saw it at the NT) a circular stage (much like a lecture hall), frequently seem to appear as the nucleus and electrons of an atom.
There's lots more to it than that, obviously, so I'll let you find out; it's a while since I've seen it. And it is one of the best plays I've ever seen, and now it's on telly with a fine cast (Daniel Craig, Francesca Annis, forget the third). And I think a lot of people would like it. So I'm telling you now. I'm getting it taped by a BBC4-having friend. Do trust me, it's wonderful. |
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