REVIEW | Operation Epsilon, Southwark Playhouse (Elephant)
★ ★ ★★ ★
Reviewer - Eleanor
*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
*Please note that this show contains references to Nazism, Anti-Semitism, and other references to sensitive and potentially triggering subjects*
Operation Epsilon sheds light on the experience of 10 German scientists who were captured by the British and covertly recorded while under house arrest in England. The Allies aim? To determine how close the Germans were to developing an atomic bomb. While captured, the men have to contend with the implications of their work, their own sense of pride, and what to do once they are released. This play (written by Alan Brody and directed by Andy Sandberg) is a telling of true events which took place in 1945. Elements of the script are based on actual transcripts of the scientists’ recorded conversations and gives an impression of how these men thought and acted with their friends and colleagues, and in their private moments.
The current run of Operation Epsilon is the UK premiere of the show and comes 10 years after the acclaimed American production. This new run has a large ensemble cast which includes Jamie Bogyo (Aspects of Love), Nathaniel Parker (TV’s The Inspector Lynley Mysteries) and Matthew Duckett (Newsies) to name a few, which will likely be a draw for many. Although I have studied World War II before, as quite a lot of people have to varying extents, I knew very little of what to expect when seeing this play. It does seem this period of history is particularly popular at the moment, from the success of the film Oppenheimer to musical Operation Mincemeat, I was intrigued to see where Operation Epsilon would sit in this broad spectrum.
On my first visit to the Southwark Playhouse (Elephant), I was very impressed. The set (designed by Janie Howland) was so detailed and this, alongside the costumes, fully immersed me in the world. To see an ensemble cast as strong as this is no mean feat. As the tension between these scientists changes from scene to scene, you are treated to a very compelling story which really leaves you thinking.
‘One true story. Ten brilliant minds. Explosive possibilities.’
The play opens with the group of scientists arriving at Farm Hall, the Cambridgeshire stately home which would be their residence for the following six months. As each character makes their entrance, the first thing you notice is the distinct lack of German accents. This was a little surprising in the beginning, but as the story unfolded it quickly became unimportant. In fact, the lack of accents meant I was only ever focused on the acting, plot and emotion of the piece. Once all the characters had arrived and are made comfortable by Major Rittner (Simon Bubb) freeze framing and spotlighting is used for him to introduce each of the ensemble. With a group of 10 people on stage, this really helped to distinguish the characters from each other, giving context and insight for their later actions.
Lighting is similarly used throughout the play (designed by Clancy Flynn) and is extremely effective. The more subtle shifts help you focus on different groups of characters as scenes play out simultaneously, and in moments of high drama or pathos it draws you to one character and forces you to reflect on their emotions more deeply.
In the first act, Otto Hahn (Nathaniel Parker) raises the idea that history has the arrogance of hindsight. This is an idea which drives a lot of the tension and suspense throughout Operation Epsilon. As an audience, we become aware of important historical events before many of the characters do. A key example of this was following the bombing of Hiroshima, where the atmosphere generated in the theatre was particularly palpable. As with Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘bomb theory,’ the suspense grows to a climax and then wanes for a time before growing again. This really helps the story progress at a good pace and I remained highly engaged for the entire run time. Especially in instances, such as the Hiroshima bombing, when we know the group will find out about certain events but we cannot predict how they will react.
The way this group of scientists is split into varying factions is very important to help an audience engage with each character individually. It is here where Operation Epsilon really excels, particularly in the second act after reading how their research is being discussed in British media. As they grapple with the effects of their work versus their intentions, many of the men are more upset by their apparent failure rather than what their successes have led to. Their differing affiliations, with some disenfranchised with Hitler’s Germany vs. those in ‘Hitler’s Uranium club,’ created some impactful scenes. I was particularly interested in how the younger scientists were worried about their burgeoning careers and the older men were concerned for their legacies; but they were almost all linked by pride and their attempts to justify actions. The ability to raise such questions is testament to Alan Brody’s excellent writing here.
It would have been very easy to treat these men as a single collective - a group of scientists who were all working towards a common aim and who had the same intentions and views. But Operation Epsilon shows just how far from the truth this was. Each man is very distinct from the other and every actor should be commended. My particular highlights were a longer monologue given by Von Laue (Simon Chandler) which was very impactful, as were the fervent displays of emotion from Bagge (Matthew Duckett) and Gerlach (Leighton Pugh). Gyuri Sarossy as Heisenburg and Nathaniel Parker as Hahn also gave very assured performances.
My favourite scene occurred in the second act, when Hahn’s work had been officially recognised. As part of the celebrations they gather around the piano to sing a song, praising him as the one who discovered nuclear fission (the basis of all their research, and the science behind the atomic bomb). As things turn sour, spotlighting is used to highlight some of the words being sung and to give them new meaning. This was the most poignant moment for me and just encapsulated everything which makes this show so important. Operation Epsilon ends with a full circle moment as the group are released and are due to travel back to Germany. As they reflect on their time in England, divisions are healed and some of the men leave the house on a relatively positive note. But, as this play does so well, there is another sudden shift leading to an extremely powerful conclusion.
For me, Operation Epsilon was pretty faultless. The cast, the staging, the set, the lighting - I only hope this show can expand to an even bigger venue. The content discussed here is heavy at times but extremely important and to find out more about the science behind the bomb and the men behind the science was extremely compelling. Tension and suspense were built into the piece expertly and delivered expertly by every actor. I really hope there is a bright future for this production.
Operation Epsilon is playing at the Southwark Playhouse, Elephant from the 15th September - 21st October.