1939: fascism spreads across Europe, Franco marches on Barcelona and two German chemists discover the processes of atomic fission. In Berkeley, California, theoretical physicists recognise the horrendous potential of this new science: a weapon that draws its power from the very building blocks of the universe.

Struggling to cast off his radical past and thrust into a position of power and authority, the charismatic J Robert Oppenheimer races to win the 'battle of the laboratories' and create a weapon so devastating that it would bring about an end not just to the Second World War but to all war.

Tom Morton-Smith's new play takes us into the heart of the Manhattan Project, revealing the personal cost of making history.

A biographical play, exploring the life of J Robert Oppenheimer, one of the great scientific figures of the 20th century.

About the Author

Tom Morton-Smith is a playwright based in the South East of England. He studied Drama at the University of East Anglia, and trained as an actor at LAMDA. He has had readings at the Old Vic, the Hampstead Theatre, the Soho Theatre, the Royal Court, the Trafalgar Studios, the Liverpool Everyman, the Southwark Playhouse, the Arcola and Shakespeare's Globe. In 2006 he was nominated by the Hampstead Theatre to be one of The 50, a writers' group put together by the BBC and the Royal Court to nurture playwriting talent. He was also selected to be part of Paines Plough's Future Perfect group, 2006. Tom was writer-in-residence with Paines Plough 2007/08. His debut play, Salt Meets Wound, opened at Theatre503 in May 2007.

Reviews
Time and again in this triumphantly assured drama - there are phrases that leap out and draw you into the wonder, and the horror, of mankind's journey to a brave new world of potential total annihilation. * 5*s - Telegraph *
Where [Arthur] Miller drew a blank, writer Tom Morton-Smith succeeds in presenting the complex character of Oppenheimer * Stratford Observer *
An engaging and informative night at the theatre * 5*s - London Theatre 1 *
An evening of ebullience with moments of wonder...raw, nimble and devastating. * A Younger Theatre *
The dialogue crackles with vicious insight and humour. * Time Out *
Morton-Smith's careful handling gives rise to a lyrical character study of ordinary people burdened by exceptional circumstances. * Guardian *
Starkly original ... The seeming simplicity of Morton-Smith's dialogue belies a rich, poetic meditation on loss, identity and the complexity of care. * Exeunt *



Book Information
ISBN 9781783191987
Author Tom Morton-Smith
Format Paperback
Page Count 96
Imprint Oberon Books Ltd
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 141g