Similarly the illustrative quotes chosen here are merely those the complete review subjectively believes represent the tenor and judgment of the review as a whole. Michael Frayn's play, Copenhagen , about Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg, premiered in May 1998. David Burke played the role of Niels Bohr for the full fifteen months of its first run. Actors and playwrights usually don't have that much to do with one another, especially once a play is out of rehearsal. Performing the same role, day in and day out, can be something of a chore.
Minds occasionally drift, untoward thoughts occur.
It is the temptation to do or say something so outrageous that it would stop the play, empty the house, and end my career. Behind the scenes he is apparently something of a jokester. The director of Copenhagen , Michael Blakemore, was the original target. Blakemore was all aflutter with excitement and contacted Frayn. And Frayn eagerly pounced on the pages.