{"id":15340,"date":"2014-11-20T01:33:56","date_gmt":"2014-11-20T09:33:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/?p=15340"},"modified":"2014-12-14T19:38:38","modified_gmt":"2014-12-15T03:38:38","slug":"delicate-particle-logic-indras-net-theater-berkeley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/delicate-particle-logic-indras-net-theater-berkeley\/","title":{"rendered":"Delicate Particle Logic: Indra\u2019s Net Theater, Berkeley"},"content":{"rendered":"
above:\u00a0Teressa Byrne (Foss) as Lise Meitner – Photo by John Feld<\/h6>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Teressa Byrne (Foss) as Lise Meitner (l) Janet Keller as Edith Hahn (r)
\nPhoto by John Feld<\/p>\n

Provocative Delicate Particle Logic<\/em><\/h1>\n

World Premiere of Delicate Particle Logic<\/em> by Jennifer Blackmer, directed by Bruce Coughran, presented by Indra\u2019s Net Theater, is a play about science based on real people and achievements \u2013 the groundbreaking work of Otto Hahn, a 1944 Nobel Prize winning chemist, Lise Meitner, one of the most brilliant physicists of the 20th<\/sup> century, and Edith Hahn, an artist married to Otto.<\/p>\n

While science and the inequality of women in science is the driving force of this story, the underlying themes of each woman\u2019s relationship to Otto – as wife and colleague – and Blackmer’s inventive unfolding friendship of both women late in life bubble to the surface, and become the most intriguing part.<\/p>\n

Set in Edith\u2019s Room in Berlin, soon after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Professor Lise Meitner (Teressa Byrne) visits Edith (Janet Keller) and proclaims \u201cWasn\u2019t the Nobel Prize enough to resurrect German science?\u201d highlighting the importance of politics and international zeal to lead the world. From this moment a series of flashback scenes and returns to Edith’s Room recreate memories and interpretations of Otto Hahn’s life (Michael Kern Cassidy), working with Meitner, and his marriage to Edith.<\/p>\n

This captivating memory play covers a lot of ideas and events \u2013 not least splitting the atom, the role of women in marriage, society and science, and abstract expressionism. Byrne and Keller are an outstanding duo in their scenes and carry Blackmer\u2019s intriguing story forward into emotional and thought provoking terrain. In one scene, Meitner is curious about motherhood when meeting Edith\u2019s new born son as much as Edith is curious about her work with atoms and \u2018the bomb\u2019.<\/p>\n

Meitner is a fascinating multi-dimensional character. Byrne is a revelation throughout the play and especially outstanding as she works excitedly through her calculations resulting in splitting the Uranium nucleus. Her huge achievement and the strength she found in this moment is even more poignant when Byrne cradles her joy in her arms, like a baby.<\/p>\n

Keller\u2019s Edith is strong, vulnerable and very curious, with emotions ranging from remotenesss to fierce bitterness, compellingly drawn by Keller\u2019s earthy believability. Trusting and mistrusting \u2013 she has a tormented mind with the capacity to beautifully weave together ideas from science, art and humanity, through her memory, impressions and illusions.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Michael Cassidy as Otto Hahn (l) and Darek Burkowski (r) as Colleague
\nPhoto by John Feld<\/p>\n

Cassidy\u2019s Otto Hahn is suitably formal in demeanor as he builds his successful career and socializes with eminent colleagues. Yet Cassidy also shows an empathetic side – in different measures to Meitner and Edith – of a tightly drawn man dedicated to science. Jeff Garrett and Derek Burkowski deftly play five different characters each, with an accent or two that could be firmer.<\/p>\n

Coughran employs slick transitions, imaginative use of space and an attractive, minimal set, consisting of six large paintings in gray, beige and white tones and three chairs (Set Design by Lili Smith), to move this story forward through several different locations. Effective Lighting Design by Beth Hersh includes exquisite narrow focus on abstract moments of the play. The Costume Design of the time period by Beckie Pelkey and Sound Design by Scott Alexander support the production well.<\/p>\n

A lobby display provides a detailed timeline of important international scientists and physicists, information about nuclear fission, Kandinsky and abstract expressionism – and even an actual electroscope, similar to the one that Otto Hahn and Lise Meitner used to measure radioactivity!<\/p>\n

Indra\u2019s Web Theater successfully takes the audience on a meaningful journey of discovery through an important scientific achievement and time that is surprising in its emotional depth and impact. Bravo!<\/p>\n

More Information:<\/p>\n