Operation Epsilon Tickets
About Operation Epsilon
Don’t miss the U.K. premiere of an award-winning drama at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant. Book Operation Epsilon tickets on TodayTix.
Operation Epsilon brings to life the thrilling true story of at top-secret mission that took place during World War II. Masterful storytelling brings to life how the Allied forces interrogated German scientists, who are unaware someone is secretly recording their conversations in the hopes of uncovering vital Nazi secrets.
This electrifying play takes you inside the clandestine operation, offering a gripping look at the moral dilemmas that emerged on both sides. Penned by award-winning playwright Alan Brody and directed by the critically acclaimed Andy Sandberg, Operation Epsilon crackles with intensity. Brody's sharp dialogue, paired with Sandberg’s directing, will keep you on the edge of your seat.
London Theatre’s critic raves, "This riveting and timely history play dissects the ethics of nuclear physics." Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply love a thought-provoking drama, Operation Epsilon delivers an unforgettable theatre experience you won't want to miss.
Book tickets now to see Operation Epsilon in London on TodayTix.
Run time
Act One: approx 50 mins. Act Two: approx 55 mins. This show contains an interval.
Start date
15th September, 2023
End date
21st October, 2023
Categories
Age
11+
19 Reviews
Venue
Southwark Playhouse Elephant
Directions
Location: Fringe/Off West End
Railway station: Elephant and Castle
Bus numbers: Newington Butts (Stop BC) 196
Directions from tube: Elephant & Castle: Walk south-east on Churchyard Row towards Newington Butts/A3. Turn left onto Newington Butts. Kennington: Walk north-east on Kennington Park Rd/A3 towards Othello Cl. Turn left onto Churchyard Row.
More information about Operation Epsilon
Operation Epsilon brings an incredible true story to the stage — one you likely never learned in history class. In the final months of World War II, the Allies launched a covert mission to capture and secretly record conversations among 10 German scientists working on the Nazi nuclear program. This real-life drama unfolded at a converted manor house known as Farm Hall in the English countryside.
While the war was coming to an end, the Allies wanted to understand how close Germany had come to developing an atomic bomb. The classified Operation Epsilon provided vital intelligence about the Nazi's nuclear progress. But it also revealed the scientists themselves in candid, unguarded conversations — presenting complex moral dilemmas on both sides.
Brody is known for exploring challenging ethical questions without clear-cut answers. In Operation Epsilon, he examines weighty themes like patriotism, conscience, guilt, and responsibility. Sandberg also directed the highly successful world premiere of Operation Epsilon in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2013.
What to watch for
- Operation Epsilon is adapted from the actual transcripts of the German scientists’ conversations while detained by the Allied forces.
- The transcripts and recordings from the real Operation Epsilon were declassified in the 1990s, making them accessible to the public and researchers.
- The production design uses two stages. The main stage includes a reception room, with smaller bedrooms upstairs for certain scenes. Once filled with the entire cast of 11, the set feels crowded, emphasising the scientists' prolonged confinement, as they were unable to escape each other.
Frequently asked questions
Who wrote Operation Epsilon?
Alan Brody wrote Operation Epsilon. Not only is he a playwright whose works include Five Scenes from Life, but he is also an author of novels like Coming To and Hey Lenny, Hey Jack. He has received the Elsner Award, Lois and Richard Rosenthal Award, and the Best New American Play Award.
Who directed Operation Epsilon?
Andy Sandberg directed Operation Epsilon. He is also a writer, producer, and actor known for producing the 2009 Broadway revival of the musical Hair, which later came to the West End. Sandberg staged the world premiere of Operation Epsilon in 2013 and won an Independent Review of New England (IRNE) Award for Best Director.
Is Operation Epsilon appropriate for kids?
Operation Epsilon is recommended for ages 11+ due to the serious subject matter at the heart of this play. The production tackles weighty themes like nuclear weapon development, Nazism, and anti-Semitism.
Is Operation Epsilon good?
Brody based Operation Epsilon on transcripts from the real-life British operation to capture German nuclear secrets, and his work resulted in an award-winning production. London Theatre calls Operation Epsilon “riveting and timely.” This show takes audiences into the thrilling world of science and technology through the art of theatre.
What is Operation Epsilon about?
Based on actual transcripts, Alan Brody's compelling play delves into the conflict between creation and destruction, the decisions that shape history, and the ties that bind us all. In the depths of the English countryside, the Allies have captured Germany's leading nuclear scientists to answer a crucial question: How close are the Nazis to developing an atomic bomb?
Which theatre is Operation Epsilon at?
Operation Epsilon is at London's Southwark Playhouse Elephant.
What is the running time of Operation Epsilon?
Operation Epsilon runs for Act One: approx 50 mins. Act Two: approx 55 mins. This show contains an interval.
What is the age recommendation for Operation Epsilon?
11+
How do you get tickets for Operation Epsilon?
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Tickets
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