The Physicists by Friedrich Durrenmatt. Translated by James Kirkup.

Review by Jack Wanderman - Let's Get Physical

Just a light tale then: three scientists in a mental hospital, murdered nurses, philosophical discussion, scientific morality and Cold War political battles. Somehow, though, we are drawn to stick with it thanks to some strong acting, able direction and an outstanding script.

Three physicists have been confined to an upmarket sanatorium. Herbert George Beutler (Nick Mouton) claims he is Isaac Newton, but knows he is really Einstein. His pretence is merely to spare the feelings of fellow patient, Ernst Heinrich Ernesti (Carl Hill), who also believes he is Einstein. Johann Wilhelm Mobius (Luke Simonds), meanwhile, enjoys frequent visits from King Solomon. Much more of the plot I will not reveal; seek out a production that may reveal it as playfully and teasingly as KDC's.

Mouton, Hill and Simonds put in sterling performances as the three scientists, leading us in turn to believe, doubt and ultimately understand their madness, whilst building us up to an impressive, genuinely unexpected twist. Helen MacBain, meanwhile, gives a neat, subtle take on the boss of the institution who may be more or less sane than the madmen she oversees.

Although one might fear that the play would risk seeming outdated through its employment of Cold War references, it actually serves to demonstrate that the world's divisions have not healed, merely shifted. Moreover, the ethical debate (boiled down to 'how can a thought be unthought?' - if we accept scientific progress at all, we must accept certain ill-effects) is all the more poignant in an age when human cloning is a real possibility and thousands of people spend their time with strange and untested communications devices strapped to their heads. Despite my initial doubts, by giving political observation and philosophical contemplation a witty, dark and often surreal twist, The Physicists succeeds in delivering its message with much greater power than any explicitly preaching piece could ever do.