Quote of the Day: If anything is to blame here, it is medical science, not me. Fraulein Doktor Mathilde von Zahnd played by the brilliant Sara Marsh in The Physicists by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, a Dark & Stormy Production at the Gremlin Theatre in St. Paul, MN. Translated by James Kirkup. Allison Vincent expertly directs this dark comedy set in an asylum about scientists (are they really mad?), murder, and who gets to define sanity. This one will keep you guessing, and thinking, long after the show ends. 

Sara Marsh as Mathilde von Zahnd and Jason Ballweber as Richard Voss in The Physicists. Photo: Alyssa Kristine

The Physicists opens with a murder investigation. A nurse is found murdered in the day room of the Les Cerisiers, a private sanatorium in a lakeside town in Switzerland in 1962. Three men occupy the rooms in this part of the sanitorium. Doktor Mathilde refers to them as “The Physicists,” as they are all scientists, or claim to be. They conclude that Ernesti, who thinks he’s Albert Einstein, has killed his nurse. Pearce Bunting delivers as this duel identity character. Peter Christian Hansen portrays the patient Herbert Georg Beutler who believes that he’s Sir Isaac Newton. He wears a ridiculous wig, that works well in creating his delusional character and convincing those around him that he lives inside his own reality. Alex Galick plays the third scientist, Johann Wilhelm Möbius, who claims that he hears King Solomon speaking to him. Sara Marsh freaked us all out in her portrayal of Fräulein Doktor Mathilde von Zahnd. You wonder throughout the story where the lines in sanity fall for her.

Pearce Bunting as “Einstein” and Jason Ballweber as Richard Voss in The Physicists. Photo: Alyssa Kristine

Jason Ballweber plays the inspector Richard Voss. Since there have been several female nurses murdered at the sanitorium, he suggests that they hire male caregivers instead. Isaac Bratt, Samuel Osborne-Huerta, and Jack Bechard play the several characters including the male nurses, police investigators, and Möbius’ children. At times their characters are comic relief, and other times they are threateningly militaristic. 

Sara Marsh as Mathilde von Zahnd and Isaac Bratt, Samuel Osborne-Huerta, and Jack Bechard in The Physicists. Photo: Alyssa Kristine

Riley Boals plays Marta Boll and Monika Stettler, a nurse who falls in love with Möbius. She doesn’t believe that he is truly mad. In fact, she thinks he is as sane as any person would be who has a brilliant mind. Noë Tallen plays Möbius’ ex-wife who comes to visit him and introduce him to her new husband. Keegan Robinson plays Oskar Rose and McArthur. 

Peter Christian Hansen as “Newton” in The Physicists. Photo: Alyssa Kristine

The Physicists moves along nicely with many surprises and twists that keep your attention. Most of the characters have something to hide and we make new discoveries in every scene. The show is brilliantly cast with exceptional acting all around. Allison Vincent maintains the humor in it, even as the story becomes darker. There were a few times when we weren’t sure if we should laugh or shrink back from the reality. The themes of science and responsibility as well as definitions of madness and sanity will keep you thinking about this play after you leave. This one will create good discussion.

Alex Galick as Mobius in The Physicists. Photo: Alyssa Kristine

You can see Dark & Stormy’s production of The Physicists at the Gremlin Theatre in St. Paul, MN through Sept. 15, 2024. I highly recommend this dark comedy.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: What if you discovered something that could both help the world and harm it? What would you do with that information? How would you take responsibility for it? 

In the play, the men discuss such discoveries. They say that once something has been thought of, it exists. And, if I could think it up, so could someone else. If you stopped its development, knowing that it could cause harm, who is to say that it wouldn’t crop up some other place in the hands of less responsible people?