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Humanity at the fingertips of man
Copenhagen City Theatre is one of the season’s events
Michael Frayn: Copenhagen. Helsinki City Theatre. Translated by Petri Friari, directed by Neil Hardwick, set design by Sari Salmela,
costumes by Maija Pekkanen, lighting by Juhani Leppänen, sound by Tapani Karejoki. Cast: Leena Uotila, Hannu Lauri and Mika Nuojua.
Michael Frayn’s Copenhagen is one of the most fascinating new plays of recent years, and right now also one of the most essential. The premiere was seen in London in 1998. Since then, Copenhagen has been a success all over the world, including New York
on Broadway. No wonder there too. The topic of the manufacture and use of the atomic bomb naturally also speaks to the Americans,
for historical reasons. In Finland, Copenhagen was first taken by Svenska teatern, where it was seen on the Mini stage. Now Helsinki City Theatre
presents Copenhagen on its rather large small stage, directed by Neil Hardwick. It’s superbly exciting and
An experience that makes you quiet even today with its unfortunate topicality.
Is it so small The fate of the whole world, billions of people, may depend, for example, on a quick meeting between two physicists in Copenhagen
1941. This is what Frayn’s play depicts and reflects on the real-life characters, the Danish Niels Bohriin (1885-1962) and the German Werner
Heisenberg (1901-1976). Bohr’s wife Margarethe Bohr (1890-1984) is also involved
with sharp comments. It is a question of the capacity to manufacture the atomic bomb and the responsibility of the scientist. Is it right to give Hitler’s Germany a recipe for destruction? Heisenberg could do it. Is it more correct to prepare for the Americans
bomb launch system? The Jewish-born Bohr was responsible for this and, indirectly, for finishing the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
after fleeing the Nazis to the United States. One person or two can hold the fate of the entire planet in their hands. Above all, this is what Copenhagen’s train of thought leads to,
That is, also to think about the structures of power and the morality of those who wield power. What do I decide, the journeyman Heisenberg asks his master
Bohr.
Copenhagen There is a lot of theatre of speech, time layers and flowing scientific terminology. Fortunately, it is also very clear
built into a well-functioning drama ensemble. The viewer does not need to know anything more detailed about the various inventions
structures and differences in worldviews. Science and its terms are the nourishment of the core. The core is the most important. The viewer can rely on Frayn’s well-versed narrative. Drama so skilfully and at the same time thoroughly written
Copenhagen is that we also rely on the expertise of the play. That is why the life of the play, the conflicts between people and morals
attract.
Neil Hardwickin interpretation is more theatre than Svenskan’s performance. It is also about twenty minutes longer when performed in Finnish, at the premiere
a full three hours. In Svenskan, Copenhagen served as an intensive speech. In the City Theatre, the narrative is more of a play. Copenhagen withstands the change of interpretative perspectives very well. It also holds up to Sari Salmela’s suggestive
Even though the content of the solution is not very clear. Maybe it’s not even necessary. The actors are downright captivating. The spirit of the play, even the charm of procrastination, is realised in the roles.
Hannu Lauri though almost mumbles Bohr’s role, but I understood almost everything. The gentle but uncompromising authority of the figure of the senior scientist
alive and impress. Mika Nuojua, as Heisenberg, also devours his words, especially at the end of a demanding job. However, he did not
I don’t care about the young researcher’s other energy and not about the message of Germanism that peeks through the interludes between the speeches. As Margarethe Bohr, Leena Uotila creates a captivating portrait of a wise and far-sighted woman from concise lines.
His ironic lightening is good for Copenhagen. Frayn’s play is good for the audience. Theatre has something to say again. Race to enjoy this luxury!