Movie spotlight
National Theatre Live: The Hard Problem
Acclaimed playwright Tom Stoppard (Shakespeare in Love, Arcadia, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead) returns to the National Theatre with his highly-anticipated new play The Hard Problem, directed by Nicholas Hytner (Othello, Hamlet, One Man, Two Guvnors). Hilary, a young psychology researcher at a brainscience institute, is nursing a private sorrow and a troubling question at work, where psychology and biology meet. If there is nothing but matter, what is consciousness? This is ‘the hard problem’ which puts Hilary at odds with her colleagues who include her first mentor Spike, her boss Leo and the billionaire founder of the institute, Jerry. Is the day coming when the computer and the fMRI scanner will answer all the questions psychology can ask? Meanwhile Hilary needs a miracle, and she is prepared to pray for one.
Insights
Plot Summary
Hilary, a natural scientist, struggles with the age-old question of how to reconcile her rational understanding of the world with the complexities of human emotion and belief. As she navigates her professional life and personal relationships, she grapples with the fundamental divide between the 'easy problem' of how the brain works and the 'hard problem' of consciousness itself. Her research into a controversial subject leads her to confront her own deeply held beliefs and the nature of the universe.
Critical Reception
The National Theatre Live broadcast of Tom Stoppard's 'The Hard Problem' received positive reviews, with many critics praising the intellectual depth of the play and the strong performances from its cast, particularly Olivia Colman. The production was lauded for its engaging exploration of complex philosophical themes within a contemporary setting.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its intellectual rigor and engagement with profound philosophical questions.
Olivia Colman's performance was frequently highlighted as a standout element.
The play effectively translates complex scientific and philosophical debates to the stage.
Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for this National Theatre Live broadcast is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The play's title, 'The Hard Problem,' refers to the philosophical concept in the study of consciousness that explains why and how people have subjective experiences.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources