Performed at the White Bear Theatre, London
19-30 November 2024
‘Heavily reminiscent of Michael Frayn’s masterly Copenhagen … [T]his is an excellent production of a fascinating play.‘
LondonTheatre1
In 1931 the brash and brilliant physicist Wolfgang Pauli approached the world-renowned analyst Carl Jung for help. Pauli’s neurosis had wreaked such havoc with his psyche that when Jung first saw him, he felt as if the “wind had blown over from the lunatic asylum”. In their discussions they struck sparks off each other and in the end not one but both of them were changed.
Synchronicity is about psychology, physics, alchemy and the extraordinary things that can happen when two brilliant minds meet. Thought provoking, sometimes deep, sometimes moving – it is about how a meeting of the minds can change the world.
Left to right: Anthony Shrubsall (Director), Arthur I. Miller (Playwright), Jeremy Drakes (Wolfgang Pauli), Stephen Riddle (Carl Jung)
Praise for Synchronicity
‘Heavily reminiscent of Michael Frayn’s masterly Copenhagen, Arthur I Miller’s absorbing new play, Synchronicity, probes the links between psychology, physics and alchemy, through the prism of the friendship of the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung and the Austrian physicist Wolfgang Pauli…[T]his is an excellent production of a fascinating play.’
LondonTheatre1
‘This is, in the end, a proper piece of theatre, in which real people, whom you care about and sympathise with, change and evolve, and end the evening in a radically different place from where they started.’
London Pub Theatres
‘Synchronicity is an intimate, intelligent drama that will appeal to fans of psychology, science, and history. For those who enjoy thought-provoking theatre.’
Theater-News.com
‘This is above all a play of ideas, and you will likely emerge from the theatre with your head buzzing, resolving to read more about these two fascinating men and their writings. … A play that gets you thinking is no bad thing.’
The Peg
‘There is some sharp dialogue here and a play featuring these big concepts which did so much to shape the following century deserves a welcome. Anyone looking for a mentally stimulating evening would do well to visit Arthur I. Miller’s play.’
International Theatre Reviews
‘Miller’s writing manages to make complex themes accessible, balancing discussions of physics and psychology with moments of warmth and wit. Synchronicity is an intimate, intelligent drama that will appeal to fans of psychology, science, and history. Its exploration of the intersection between human vulnerability and intellectual brilliance leaves a lasting impression. For those who enjoy thought-provoking theatre, this is a production well worth seeing.’
Theatre-News.com
‘… there is a lot to enjoy about Synchronicity. … I came away feeling wiser with a lot of information to unpack, perhaps in my dreams.’
Sallerton Arts Review
‘What unfolds in Synchronicity … is an enlightening journey that illustrates how two minds on very different quests can converge. … Synchronicity passes a definitive test of any performance art: you feel more enlightened and stretched coming out than going in. …There isn’t a dull moment.’
The Article
‘It’s heartening to see such intellectual material staged in a fringe theatre, and it’s sure to influence one’s dreams when one gets into bed.’
The Review Hub
‘There is much heavy lifting for the two actors as the discussions range from mandalas to quantum physics, but Miller manages to mingle humanity with the abstractions. … In less experienced hands, the evening could have set heads spinning. Thanks to these two players and director Anthony Shrubsall, we are not only left with plenty to think about but entertained as well.’
Raymond Whitaker, published on Terri Paddock’s website