Copenhagen

By: Michael Frayn

Narrated by: Alfred Molina, David Krumholtz, Shannon Cochran

Length: 2 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

How different would the world have looked had the Nazis been the first to build an atomic bomb? Werner Heisenberg, one of Hitler's lead nuclear scientists, famously and mysteriously met in Copenhagen with his colleague and mentor, Niels Bohr, one of the founders of the Manhattan Project. Michael Frayn's Tony Award-winning drama imagines their reunion. Joined by Niels' wife, Margrethe, these three brilliant minds converge for an encounter of atomic proportions. 

 Recorded in Los Angeles before a live audience at the UCLA James Bridges Theater in November 2011.   

Copenhagen is part of L.A. Theatre Works’ Relativity Series featuring science-themed plays. Lead funding for the Relativity Series is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, bridging science and the arts in the modern world.  

Directed by Martin Jarvis

Producing Director Susan Albert Loewenberg

Alfred Molina as Niels Bohr

Shannon Cochran as Margrethe Bohr

David Krumholtz as Werner Heisenberg

Associate Producer: Christina Montano

Recording Engineer/ Sound Designer/Editor: Mark Holden for The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood

Casting Director: Cathy Reinking

Sound Effects Artist: Tony Palermo  

©2012 L.A. Theatre Works (P)2012 L.A. Theatre Works

Well Performed,Thought Provoking!

This LA Theatre Works performance concerns three characters: the eminent Danish physicist Niels Bohr, his wife Margrethe, and the German physicist Werner Heisenberg (famous for his Quantum Uncertainty Principle). Shortly after Nazi Germany has conquered Denmark, Heisenberg travels from Germany to pay a visit to Bohr, his former mentor and teacher. Heisenberg's motives for the visit are unclear -- possibly to obtain Bohr's advice on how to build an atomic bomb, to warn the Jewish Bohr of the coming Nazi threat to his safety, to somehow tip off the Allies to Germany's ongoing atomic weapon research . . . or maybe something else. The themes presented are highly intelligent and thought provoking, raising unresolved questions of personal loyalty, scientific ethics and limits of personal courage when living in nations controlled by dark totalitarian forces. The play focuses on the tensions, mysteries and personal dynamics of this historically important visit. Many important ethical questions are raised and left unresolved for the listener to ponder afterwards. What are the ethical obligations of scientists during wartime when the stakes are as high as they were during World War II? The acting, dialogue and production values are first rate. Highly recommended!

A fascinating may have been

As the savvy reader may suspect this work revolves around whether or not one man spoke to another in the midst of war and passed on a warning.

A taught interesting discussion between two giants of history and science debates the morals of necessity and war and the foibles of memory.

Well worth the price of admission with excellent nuanced performances by all parties.

Talented performers

These are some very impressive stage actors. Amazing how they can learn and perform so many lines seamlessly. The story is compelling but gets a bit bogged down in the science at times.

Terrific listen, especially on a Bohr-ish walk!

The narration by three distinct actors is incredibly helpful in keeping track of the conversation. The story of these two scientists is approachable and incredible by the layman in this presentation. Was Heisenberg guilty of working towards a weapon for the Nazis? Or is Bohr a better target for criticism for actually working on the Los Alamos project? Familiarize yourself with a time when two scientists "brought man back to the center of the universe" with their combined work.

A very difficult subject is explained to people like me who have little understanding of particle wave duality.

I've read many books about particle wave duality and I'm surprised to say that this theatrical performance introduced some interesting viewpoints. It was very enjoyable.

Provocative to say the least.

One of the unsolvable mysteries in the history of science brought to your very life.

good physics

interesting story considering how those who developed the concepts used to develop the atomic bomb

Somewhat experimental but interesting

Any additional comments?

This small play has an experimental feel. Not only is it a hypothetical view of historic conversations between theoretical physicists but the characters are revisiting their lives from the grave and repeating the main scene with different interpretations. As a piece of experimental theatre I am not convinced it is a great success but as an intelligent and well written historical perspective it is worth listening to, especially for someone like me who likes physics.