Ludwig and Bertie NYC Reviews and Tickets

77%

(28 Ratings)

Positive

89%

Mixed

11%

Negative

Members say

Intelligent, Great acting, Thought-provoking, Ambitious, Absorbing

About the Show

This world premiere takes on the forty-year love/hate relationship between Ludwig Wittgenstein and Bertrand Russell, two leading twentieth-century philosophers.

From the show:

Russell is heterosexual, hedonistic and agnostic; Wittgenstein is puritanical, gay and Jewish. Russell is an imprisoned pacifist; Wittgenstein a decorated combat soldier. Wittgenstein is intensely religious; Russell mocks religion from first to last. Wittgenstein regards Russell as his “mental father,” but their relationship has elements of rivalry.

In Lackey’s telling, Wittgenstein’s thinking kindles the demolition of facts in our post-truth world while Russell’s inspires the National Science Foundation. This play will show you how.

Show-Score Member Reviews (28)

Great play and an education about philosophy

See it if You are interested in philosophy and/or history based shows.

Don't see it if You are looking for a big Broadway musical.

Deserves a better production, Relevant, Superbly acted, Emotionally engaging, Intellectually stimulating

See it if you want to luxuriate in the brilliance of two great philosophers of different culture and temperament seeking to understand Essential Truth

Don't see it if u r uninterested the heady brew of such questions as the nature of ''fact", the primacy of the scientific world view, the role of language Read more

Perfect gem of a play, 1st class acting from entire cast, Heady intellectual jousting

See it if you'd like an intellectual feast laid out by Stan Buturla & Connor Bond as the sparring Bertie & Ludwig, both mathemeticians & philosophers.

Don't see it if you dislike philosophy or big ideas set against the history of Europe's last 2 great wars. Read more

A fine theatrical treatment of a piece of history and philosophy that is worth our attention; well-acted, Intelligent, Great acting, Absorbing

See it if If philosophy, history and madness interest you

Don't see it if you are looking for light or amusing theater

Intelligent, Great staging, Great acting, Clever, Thought-provoking

See it if you want to experience a good biographical play that makes complex philosophy comprehensible while acknowledging the influence of history.

Don't see it if you dislike plays depicting serious subjects even with a sprinkling of humor and interesting staging.

Smart writing, Great acting, Great writing

See it if you want to see strong actors play smart characters saying smart and thought provoking things. A well conceived show done... well.

Don't see it if you don't care for philosophy or wordy shows. This one has a lot of both! Read more

Thought-provoking, Intelligent, Great acting, Clever

See it if you are interested in philosophy and the lives and ideas of two of its greatest practitioners.

Don't see it if If you aren't interested in philosophy or history or are looking for something light.

Well-played leads, Historical, Long, Philosophical, Smart

See it if you are interested in 20th century history or philosophy or both.

Don't see it if neither history nor philosophy interest you: In this play the drama of the situations almost requires an outside framework. Read more

Critic Reviews (1)

"'Ludwig and Bertie' gives us insight into the relationship of two of our greatest twentieth century philosophers...Bertie, played smartly by Stan Buturla, is the wise old professor at Cambridge when he meets the almost half his age young student Ludwig, poignant, headstrong and hungry..."
Read more

Trailer

Creative team

Theater for the New City