Christopher Hale takes the role of Lancelot as laboratory theater meets laboratory science in Stolen Chair's latest “unholy hybrid,” Quantum Poetics: A Science Experiment for the Stage. Setting out to prove the existence of his creations, God enlists the support of a quantum physicist, a 19th century children's book author, a 13th century mystic nun, a 16th century alchemist, a 7-year old girl, and, stepping straight from the pages of a storybook (or movie musical), Lancelot and Guinevere, taking the audience on a time-travelling adventure through the multiverse. Impossible paradoxes and cognitive dissonance abound in this Escher-esque philosophical romp.
What are they saying? ...
"Some people go to the theater because they want to be entertained, some people go because they want to think and be challenged; until now you had to choose; If you are of the type that wants to have it all, this is the play for you"
-- Dr. Gabriel Cwilich, scientific advisor to the Ensemble Studio Theater (EST) and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
"When a nun, a little girl, her older self, a writer, and God get together to prove that they exist, their puzzle gets puzzlier and their search turns very, very funny. Stolen Chair's 'Quantum Poetics' is metaphysics with a big fat grin."
-- Robert Krulwich, Co-host of "WNYC's Radiolab
"Very engaging...quite wonderful"
--Tim Maudlin, Author of Truth and Paradox and The Metaphysics within Physics
"[M]erges the fields...in intelligent and playful ways...The effect is mind-bending, down to earth, and funny."
-- Jo Ann Rosen, NYtheatre.com
"Some people go to the theater because they want to be entertained, some people go because they want to think and be challenged; until now you had to choose; If you are of the type that wants to have it all, this is the play for you"
-- Dr. Gabriel Cwilich, scientific advisor to the Ensemble Studio Theater (EST) and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
"When a nun, a little girl, her older self, a writer, and God get together to prove that they exist, their puzzle gets puzzlier and their search turns very, very funny. Stolen Chair's 'Quantum Poetics' is metaphysics with a big fat grin."
-- Robert Krulwich, Co-host of "WNYC's Radiolab
"Very engaging...quite wonderful"
--Tim Maudlin, Author of Truth and Paradox and The Metaphysics within Physics
"[M]erges the fields...in intelligent and playful ways...The effect is mind-bending, down to earth, and funny."
-- Jo Ann Rosen, NYtheatre.com