The Hard Problem
The Hard Problem is a play by British playwright Sir Tom Stoppard, first produced in 2015. The title refers to the hard problem of consciousness, which Stoppard defines as having "subjective First Person experiences"; he notes the strangeness in the illusion of consciousness in which, clearly, you have to be conscious to experience.[1]
Original production
The first production was at the National Theatre, London, in 2015. It was directed by Nicholas Hytner (his last work at the National Theatre) with the following cast:
- Elaine – Kristin Atherton
- Jerry – Anthony Calf
- Cathy – Hayley Canham
- Bo – Vera Chok
- Leo – Jonathan Coy
- Julia – Rosie Hilal
- Cathy – Daisy Jacob
- Spike – Damien Molony
- Ursula – Lucy Robinson
- Amal – Parth Thakerar
- Hilary – Olivia Vinall
- Cathy – Eloise Webb [2]
The production received mixed reviews, varying from "stimulating...rich" by Michael Billington of The Guardian and "elegantly interpreted" from The Standard's Henry Hitchings to "major disappointment" from Dominic Cavendish of The Daily Telegraph.[3]
Philadelphia's Wilma Theater produced the U.S. premiere in January and February 2016.[4] The play was directed by Blanka Zizka, with the cast that featured Sarah Gliko (Hilary), Ross Beschler (Spike) and Shravan Amin (Amal).[5]
References
- ↑ Stoppard, Tom (28 January 2015). "First Person". Programme notes. London: Royal National Theatre.
- ↑ The Hard Problem – National Theatre
- ↑ The Hard Problem: mixed reviews for new Tom Stoppard play, BBC News, 29 January 2015
- ↑ US premiere, Knight Foundation
- ↑ Zinman, Toby. "Review. 'The Hard Problem'" philly.com, January 14, 2016
External links
- The Hard Problem is Stoppard’s problem with science, New Scientist, 29 January 2015
- The Hard Problem review – Tom Stoppard dodges the big question, The Observer, London, 1 February 2015
- The Hard Problem, National Theatre, review: 'a major disappointment', The Telegraph, London, 28 January 2015
- The Hard Problem, review: Nicholas Hytner's last production for the National Theatre is a disappointment, The Independent, London, 28 January 2015
- ‘The Hard Problem’, National Theatre, London – review, The Financial Times, London, 29 January 2015