TLDR;
This audio play, "The Physicists" by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, is set in a dilapidated villa that serves as a private sanatorium. It explores themes of sanity, responsibility, and the potential dangers of scientific knowledge in a world dominated by power and control. The play revolves around three physicists, each feigning madness, and the psychiatrist who exploits their discoveries for global domination.
- The play is set in a mental asylum where three physicists reside, each with their own delusions.
- A series of murders occur, committed by the physicists, raising questions about their sanity and the true nature of their identities.
- The head psychiatrist, Fräulein Doktor Mathilde von Zahnd, is revealed to be the sanest of them all, manipulating the physicists and their discoveries for her own gain.
- The play explores the moral responsibility of scientists and the potential consequences of their work falling into the wrong hands.
- Ultimately, the physicists choose to remain in the asylum, sacrificing their freedom to prevent their knowledge from being used for destructive purposes.
Setting the Scene [0:08]
The play opens in the salon of a somewhat run-down villa, part of the private sanatorium Les Cerisiers. The sanatorium is located near a lake and a town that has been marred by modern buildings. The surrounding landscape is calming, with mountains, hills, and a nearby prison farm where criminals work. The story never leaves the confines of the villa, which once housed a variety of patients, including aristocrats, politicians, millionaires, and writers – the mentally disturbed elite of Europe. The sanatorium is run by Fräulein Doktor Mathilde von Zahnd, a renowned psychiatrist from a powerful family, known for her correspondence with CG Jung.
The Physicists [2:23]
The salon is usually occupied by three physicists, each lost in their own world. They eat together and occasionally discuss science or sit in silence. They appear harmless and easy to manage, until a series of disturbing events occur. One of them strangled a nurse three months prior, and now it has happened again, bringing the police to the sanatorium.
Investigating the Murder [3:35]
Kriminalinspektor Richard Voss arrives to investigate the murder of nurse Irene Straub. He questions Oberschwester Martha Boll about the victim and the suspected killer, Ernst Heinrich Ernesti, who believes he is Einstein. Ernesti is currently playing the violin, and the doctor says that he needs to play to calm down. Inspector Voss learns that another physicist, Herbert Georg Beutler, who thinks he is Newton, committed a similar murder three months prior. The inspector is frustrated by the situation, especially since he is unable to question Ernesti or the head doctor, who is accompanying him on the piano.
Meeting Newton [7:20]
Inspector Voss speaks with Beutler, who claims to be Sir Isaac Newton. Newton expresses shock at the murder of Irene Straub by Ernesti. He admits to killing nurse Dorothea Moser himself, but claims it was different. Newton offers Voss cognac, which he keeps hidden behind the fireplace. Newton reveals that he pretends to be Newton to avoid confusing Ernesti, who is genuinely ill and believes he is Einstein. Newton then claims that if Ernesti knew that he was actually Einstein, it would be "Teufellos".
Newton's Theories [11:05]
Newton and Voss continue to talk, and Newton asks Voss if he would arrest him for killing the nurse or for enabling the creation of the atomic bomb. Newton explains his view of physics and technology, stating that technicians exploit electricity like a pimp exploits a prostitute. He argues that machines become useless when they are disconnected from the knowledge that led to their invention, and that anyone can now operate a light bulb or an atomic bomb.
Meeting Fräulein Doktor von Zahnd [13:38]
Inspector Voss finally meets with Fräulein Doktor von Zahnd, the head psychiatrist. She explains that the portrait he was staring at is of her father, Geheimrat August von Zahnt, who hated her. She also mentions that a portrait of her uncle, Kanzler Joachim von Zand, used to hang there. She says that Ernesti has calmed down and is sleeping.
The Doctor's Perspective [15:27]
Fräulein Doktor von Zahnd discusses the murders with Inspector Voss, acknowledging the government's concern. She defends her sanatorium, stating that it is a healing institution, not a prison. She argues that it is impossible to predict when the patients will become violent. She points out that both Beutler and Ernesti are physicists, specifically nuclear physicists, and suggests a possible link between their condition and radioactivity. She reveals that the other patients were moved to a new building after the first murder.
Introducing Möbius [20:11]
The doctor introduces a third patient, Johann Wilhelm Möbius, who has been at the sanatorium for 15 years and is considered harmless. Inspector Voss insists that the physicists need orderlies. The doctor agrees to hire them but insists on keeping her three physicists, as they are her most interesting cases.
Möbius's Ex-Wife [22:16]
Frau Rose, Möbius's ex-wife, arrives with her new husband, Missionar Rose, and her three sons. She explains that she is taking her sons to see their father before she and her new husband leave for a mission on the Mariana Islands. She reveals that she divorced Möbius and is now married to a missionary with six children of his own. She also admits that she can no longer afford to pay for Möbius's care at the sanatorium.
A Family Visit [27:52]
Möbius meets with his ex-wife, her new husband, and his three sons. He struggles to recognise them and seems confused about his past. He discourages his youngest son, Jürg Lukas, from becoming a physicist, claiming that it led him to the asylum. He congratulates his ex-wife on finding a more worthy husband. The sons play a piece of music on their recorders, which distresses Möbius.
Möbius's Revelation [33:26]
Möbius becomes agitated and delivers a disturbing speech about space travel and the horrors of the universe. He insults his ex-wife and her new husband, telling them to leave and never return. After they leave, Möbius reveals to Schwester Monika that he was pretending to be insane in order to distance himself from his family. He claims that Salomo revealed to him the system of all possible inventions and that he needed to protect the world from his knowledge.
A Farewell [38:29]
Möbius tells Schwester Monika that she must leave him because they are in love and it puts her in danger. He confesses that he loves her more than his life. Schwester Monika refuses to leave, declaring her love for him and her belief in his visions of King Salomo. She says that she knows he is not ill and that she will stay with him no matter what.
Einstein's Confession [42:07]
"Einstein" awakens and speaks with Schwester Monika, revealing that he, too, loved Schwester Irene. He admits to treating her badly in an attempt to make her leave, but she refused. He urges Schwester Monika to flee, warning her that she is in danger. He confesses that he does not enjoy playing the violin or smoking the pipe, but he does it because he is pretending to be Albert Einstein.
A Proposal [44:47]
Möbius tells Schwester Monika that he has made a mistake by revealing his secret. He urges her to leave the sanatorium and forget him. Schwester Monika refuses and declares her love for him. She wants to marry him and have children with him. She reveals that she hates her job and wants to dedicate herself to him alone.
Freedom and a Choice [47:17]
Schwester Monika reveals that she has spoken with Fräulein Doktor von Zahnd, who has declared Möbius free. She also reveals that she has spoken with Professor Scherbert, Möbius's former teacher, who has promised to review his manuscripts. She urges Möbius to embrace his destiny and share his knowledge with the world.
Tragedy Strikes [51:14]
Schwester Monika is found strangled. Inspector Voss returns to investigate the murder. Fräulein Doktor von Zahnd expresses her grief and frustration, stating that her medical reputation is ruined. She blames the medical profession for failing to prevent the tragedy.
New Orderlies [53:40]
The sanatorium's new orderlies, former heavyweight boxing champions, arrive to take over the care of the patients. Fräulein Doktor von Zahnd introduces them to Inspector Voss. She expresses confidence that the orderlies will keep the patients under control.
Möbius Claims Responsibility [55:53]
Möbius confesses to killing Schwester Monika, claiming that he acted on the orders of King Salomo. Inspector Voss refuses to arrest him, stating that he cannot arrest Salomo. He expresses his relief at not having to arrest Möbius, as it allows him to take a break from the demands of justice.
The Truth Revealed [58:32]
Möbius confronts "Newton" and reveals that he needs to talk to him. "Newton" reveals that his real name is Kilton and that he is a spy who infiltrated the sanatorium to investigate Möbius. "Einstein" then reveals that his real name is Josef Eisler and that he is also a spy from a different organisation.
A Standoff [1:01:52]
Kilton and Eisler reveal that they are both armed and that they both want to force Möbius to work for their respective countries. They discuss their missions and the murders they committed to protect their identities. They realise that they are in a stalemate, as neither can force Möbius to choose a side without risking a conflict with the other.
The Choice [1:09:23]
Möbius reveals that he has burned his manuscripts, destroying his research. He explains that he realised the potential for his discoveries to be used for destructive purposes and that he chose to sacrifice his career and his family to protect the world. He argues that physicists must take responsibility for the consequences of their work and that they must be willing to make difficult choices to prevent harm.
The Decision [1:18:17]
Möbius declares that Kilton and Eisler must stay with him in the asylum. He argues that only in the asylum can they be free from the influence of politics and power. He reminds them that they are murderers and that they must accept the consequences of their actions.
A Toast to the Fallen [1:21:11]
Kilton and Eisler reluctantly agree to stay in the asylum with Möbius. They raise their glasses in a toast to the nurses they killed, acknowledging the sacrifices they made. They resolve to embrace their madness and to protect the world from their knowledge.
The Final Revelation [1:23:39]
Fräulein Doktor von Zahnd reveals that she has been listening to their conversation. She reveals that she, too, has been visited by King Salomo, who has instructed her to use Möbius's discoveries to rule the world. She reveals that she has been exploiting Möbius for years, copying his manuscripts and building a vast industrial empire.
The Doctor's Plan [1:29:30]
Fräulein Doktor von Zahnd declares that she will use her power to control the world. She reveals that she has been manipulating the physicists and that she is now in control of their knowledge. She argues that she is the only one who can be trusted to use their discoveries responsibly.
The End [1:33:56]
The play ends with the realisation that the world is now in the hands of a mad psychiatrist. The physicists are trapped in the asylum, powerless to stop her. The play concludes with each of the physicists reciting who they are, trapped in their delusions. The play ends with the haunting words of Salomo, lamenting the state of the world.
