Einstein's Gift

by Vern Thiessen

A scientist who enhances life with his work and knowledge but discovers too late that knowledge in the wrong hands brings death. Chance, pride, ego, and passion collide in this piece based on the life and work of Nobel Laureate Dr. Fritz Haber, who risked everything for a country that never accepted him but used his work to murder millions.

Genres: Plays, Canada

108 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Hsu Jui-Ting · Rating 5 out of 5]

If it is a little too on-the-nose, then I suspect that is because we have not yet outgrown the concerns that plague this work. It's still as vivid and as extraordinary as the first time I read it, though it does reek of a little theatricality.

But beyond all else it is eminently readable, both as script and as theatre, and I do still think of it as highly communicative of its intent. Hence, the five stars.

[Brandon Wicke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pure docu-drama with only the shallowest of insight into its themes.

Read/Produce Friedrich Durrenmatt’s “The Physicists” instead. It says much more about the morality of scientific discovery, with much more subtlety and creativity.

[Adelaide Felx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much better than I thought it would be. There was a little bit of chemistry in it, and I got confused so while half my brain went on reading, the other half was stuck on the chemistry formulas and made me get a little confused for the rest of the script. Still three stars though.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is an exquisite play, like drinking fine wine. breathtaking!