The Yale Quantum Institute & the University of Connecticut present, in Partnership with the Yale Innovation Summit and the Yale Schwarzman Center:
Michael Frayn’s Copenhagen
Directed by Vince Tycer
Produced by Florian Carle
Actors: Bryan Anderson, Halli Gibson, and Chris Martin
Play Description
“No one understands my trip to Copenhagen. Time and time again I’ve explained it. To Bohr himself, and Margrethe. To interrogators and intelligence officers, to journalists and historians. The more I’ve explained, the deeper the uncertainty has become. Well, I shall be happy to make one more attempt.” - First lines of Heisenberg in the play
In 1941, German quantum physicist Werner Heisenberg goes to Copenhagen to see his Danish counterpart, Niels Bohr, and his wife Margrethe. Together they revolutionized atomic science in the 1920s, but now they are on opposite sides of a world war. In this incisive drama by the prominent British playwright Michael Frayn, where the mysteries of quantum physics mirror the complexities of human relationships, the two men meet in a situation fraught with danger in hopes of discovering why we do what we do.
Why putting on this play?
To celebrate 2025, the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, the Yale Quantum Institute continues its mandate to make quantum physics more accessible to all by mixing art and quantum science by presenting the 2000 Tony Award Winning play Copenhagen.
2025 marks the centennial of Werner Heisenberg’s Matrix Mechanics, the first formulation of Quantum Theory, developed in 1925 on Helgoland Island, Germany. As a tribute, “Copenhagen” offers a captivating portrayal of Heisenberg in 1941, set in Copenhagen, exploring his pivotal, yet enigmatic meeting with Niels Bohr.
Through YQI Artist-in-Residence program, ongoing since 2017, producer Florian Carle collaborates with director Vince Tycer and talented artists across Connecticut. This unique partnership brings together the creative teams of Yale and UConn to deliver a production offering a profound glimpse into the lives and minds of two of quantum theory’s most iconic figures.
“When I created the YQI Artist-in-Residence program, bring quantum physics to a theater production was always in the back of my mind. Theater is my first love, and was part of my life for 12 years, before I moved on to pursuing a degree in rocket science and engineering. I was waiting for the right moment. The QuantumCT initiative brough Vince Tycer and I together to discuss how to improve teaching of quantum science to many different types of learners. I could only think about one thing: Copenhagen.”
- Florian Carle, YQI Managing Director and Artist-in-Residence Producer
Dates
May 29 at 7:30 pm - The Dome Yale Schwarzman Center
Sept 4-6 at 7:30 pm - Studio Theatre, Connecticut Repertory Theater
Sponsors
Yale, UConn, International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, QuantumCT, Arts & Ideas