Events

The Art of Science

20 Oct 2011– 20 Oct 2011

The Art of Science: How Nobel Prize winner Erwin Schrödinger’s time in Dublin influenced Rough Magic’s Musical “Improbable Frequency” and other probabilities

7PM
RSVP to dc2011events@gmail.com

Erwin Schrödinger came to Dublin in 1939 as first Professor of Theoretical Physics in the newly constituted Dublin Institute for Advanced Study. By this stage he had completed his primary work on quantum physics, including the eponymous Schrödinger Wave Equation and the “Schrödinger’s Cat” thought-experiment, an illustration of the paradox arising when quantum concepts meet human (or feline) reality. Probably (a risky choice of word here) the most significant contribution from his time in Dublin is the 3 lecture series “What is Life”? Professor of Physics at Trinity College Dublin, Iggy McGovern discusses the significant years that Schrödinger spent living in Dublin.

If the first half of the 20th century was the era of physics, then the second half would be the era of biology - thanks largely to Schrödinger’s book,  ‘What is Life?’ Mary Mulvihill takes a whirlwind look at some of the key developments in the world of science in the 20th century, and examines our changing public perceptions of science and technology.

How did Schrödinger end up being the inspiration for the hit Irish musical “ Improbable Frequency” ? Lynne Parker, Artistic Director of Rough Magic questions the great divide between Art & Science and Arthur Riordan expands on how the famous physicist came to appear in his musical “Improbable Frequency”.

Iggy McGovern was born in Coleraine and lives in Dublin, where he is Professor of Physics at Trinity College; he is also a poet. His published collections are The King of Suburbia and Safe House (Dedalus Press 2005 and 2010, respectively).  Awards include The Ireland Chair of Poetry Bursary, The Hennessy Literary Award for Poetry and The Glen Dimplex New Writers Award for Poetry. He is currently working on a verse biography of the 19th century Irish scientist & poet William Rowan Hamilton.

Mary Mulvihill is a science writer and broadcaster.  She founded the Science@Culture project which ran public events (1995-2009), and her company, Ingenious Ireland, specialises in walks, talks and tours of Ireland’s scientific heritage.

Lynne Parker is Artistic Director and co-founder of Rough Magic. Productions for Rough Magic include Ibsen’s Peer Gynt in a version by Athur Riordan and Improbable Frequency (Dublin, Edinburgh, Poland, National Tour, New York; Best Production and Best Director, 2004 Irish Times/ESB Irish Theatre Awards). Productions at the Abbey and Peacock Theatres include The Trojan Women, Tartuffe, Down the Line, The Sanctuary Lamp, The Drawer Boy (Galway Arts Festival co-production), The Shape of Metal and Heavenly Bodies (Best Director, 2004 Irish Times/ESB Irish Theatre Awards). Other work outside Rough Magic inclues productions for Druid, Tinderbox, 7:84 Scotland, and Opera Theatre Company. She was the recipient of the 2008 Irish Times Irish Special Tribute Theatre Award and in 2010 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Trinity College Dublin.

Arthur Riordan is a playwright and actor, who works regularly with Rough Magic Theatre Co. His plays include a recent adaptation of Ibsen’s Peer Gynt (for Rough Magic) a stage adaptation of Flann O’Brien’s unfinished novel, Slattery’s Sago Saga (for The Performance Corporation) the award-winning hit musical Improbable Frequency, and a one-man show, the Emergency Session (both for Rough Magic); as well as Love Me?! for the Corn Exchange), and two collaborations with Des Bishop: Rap Eire (for Bickerstaffe), and Shooting Gallery (for Bedrock Productions).

http://www.roughmagic.ie/productions/live-repertoire/improbable-frequency

Image: Schrodinger as played by Marty Rea in Rough Magic’s production of Improbable Frequency by Arthur Riordan. Photo by Carol Rosegg

This event is part of Innovation Dublin