Operation Epsilon London Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (10)
See it if you like ethical dramas set in World War Two, you enjoyed Oppenheimer or like thoughtful ensemble plays or philosophical pieces
Don't see it if you didn't like Oppenheimer or dislike World War Two set dramas or are allergic to nuclear physics. No reason not to - really excellent work
See it if Appreciate real history events inspired play and the discussion about conscientious in a difficult setting
Don't see it if Don’t enjoy lots of dialogue or science theme
See it if You enjoy IIWW history and small theatre venues, interesting storyline and good acting
Don't see it if You prefer shows that are gast paced and keep you on the edge of your seat Read more
See it if You like historical infotainment. More than science, this is about the morality of the people involved like the movie 'Oppenheimer'.
Don't see it if You are looking for an action oriented play, this is dialogue heavy although with great screenplay.
See it if you like plays about historical times
Don't see it if you dont like plays with a slow pace and heavy dialogues
See it if You enjoy plays about true stories that are intelligent and thought-provoking. I learnt a lot about the history behind the show.
Don't see it if You enjoy more fast-paced shows. This is very dialogue heavy without a lot of action.
See it if You enjoy history, great acting, clever dialogue, a great set design, the intimacy of a smaller theatre
Don't see it if You don't rate Elephant & Castle as a destination for theatre. Go...you will be more than pleasantly surprised.
See it if you like plays with lots of intelligent dialogue which make you think.
Don't see it if you prefer shows with more action happening on stage.
Critic Reviews (7)
“And lest anyone think this subject matter belongs to a bygone time, look afresh at the numerous powder kegs popping up around the world on an alarming basis even now. Peace, Brody’s play reminds us, is a fragile thing, as is a society that cares about civility when chaos all too evidently lies in wait.”
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“Playwright Alan Brody’s smart, incisive play is based on real, secretly recorded transcripts of the scientists’ conversations, which lends a crisp realism to the dialogue. It is an unhurried, elegantly written piece, meticulously charting the subtle interplay of the characters’ guilt, ambition and obsessive scientific curiosity.”
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“Andy Sandberg’s production plays a straight bat, unfolding on Janie E Howland’s detailed cutaway house set. It struggles a little for dynamism...The proliferation of characters makes it difficult to get a full handle on each one, and the scale of it feels bloated...But it’s an undoubtedly diverting couple of hours shining a light on a little-known aspect of the war effort.”
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“Well-written and admirably interested in sharing a less widely discussed part of military history, ‘Operation Epsilon’ has been made with a clear understanding of the period and the significance of the events its story surrounds...Morality is complicated, and I'm glad to see a willingness to explore this in the arts.”
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“ ‘Operation Epsilon’ could be a very static play – it’s a lot of men talking about topics most of the audience won’t understand (unless they happen to be nuclear physicists, anyway), when you boil it down to the bare bones – but thanks to Andy Sandberg’s direction, the talking stays engaging and even discussions about science and nuclei still have movement around them.”
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"The all-male cast are exceptionally talented, but some characters feel rather underused. However, the actors all exhibit great chemistry with each other and collaborate seamlessly on stage. They create an appropriate tension for the difficult topic of the ethics of personal complaisance discussed."
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What struck me first and foremost about this play was the incredible multilevel set design by Janie E Howland. The main stage encompasses a large reception room, with smaller bedrooms upstairs which allow for a level of privacy for certain scenes. The main set, on the other hand, once filled with the entire cast feels crowded, emphasising that these scientists were stuck together for a considerable amount of time, unable to escape each others company. The lighting design by Clancy Flynn is also highly impactful, in particular, there is an impressive lighting sequence in which each of the scientists are introduced. Between their argument the cast freeze, with spotlights held on a specific character, over which Major T. H. Rittner explains who they were. Personally, this was my favourite part of the show, as it was executed superbly by the cast and creative team.
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