February 10, 2025 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

Farm Hall: The US Premiere of a Tense Historical Drama

This January 2025 at the Promenade Playhouse

The development of the atomic bomb by J. Robert Oppenheimer and his team has been well chronicled. The intrigues, struggles, jealousies and rivalries among the German scientists racing to develop a nuclear weapon before the Americans are less known and just as fascinating.

British dramatist and historian Katherine Moar has combined all these elements into Farm Hall, a dramatic reenactment that opened in London to much acclaim and will have its U.S premiere in Los Angeles in January 2025.

Drawing from historical research and from actual recorded transcripts, Moar entertains and informs about the men who came close to developing the weapon that might have won Germany the war.

“These accomplished scientists, three of them Nobel Prize winners, were held in isolation at a manor house called Farm Hall in Britain for six months toward the end of World War II,” said Judith Hendra, director of the play and co- founder of the producing group, Topanga Actors Company. “Their families didn’t know where they were, they didn’t know how long they’d be there or if they were headed for imprisonment. This makes for great drama and great conflict.”

After the play’s successful opening in London,The Guardianreported, “It unravels like an intelligent thriller whose ending we know but is nail-biting nonetheless.”

At first the scientists seem bored and anxious by turns, but as the war comes closer to its end their moral conflicts and their rivalries heighten, leading them to question their own motives as well as those of their colleagues.

“Heisenberg is one of the most known of the group, and the question of whether he was unable to produce the bomb or if he could but schemed not to remains an issue,” said Edward Giron, who played Heisenberg previously in the playCopenhagen. “Just as misunderstood is his rival Diebner.”

“Diebner may have been very close to developing the weapon, but wasn’t listened to,” said Mark Irvingsen, who portrays Diebner. “He’s a very conflicted man, an outsider.”

Tom Waters, who plays Otto Hahn, said, “Hahn developed nuclear fission. A man of conscience, he feels his discovery led to mass destruction.”

Patrick Skelton, Ben Birmingham and Andy Spring play the other key scientists. Spring plays a talented, socially connected disciple of Heisenberg, who is led by events to question his belief in him. Birmingham plays the only one of the scientists who came from a poor background. He believes his mission is to create nuclear energy for the good of society. Patrick Skelton is the scientist who sees things in black and white and maintains a strong moral compass.

Farm Hall’s lighting designer is Bill Pierce, a former White House and press photographer who has lit numerous off Broadway shows.

Tickets for Farm Hall, which runs January 17 – February 02, 2025, at the Promenade Playhouse (10931 W. Pico Boulevard, LA, 90064), are available at www.onstage411.com/farmhall.

in News
Related Posts

What about are you protected from future wildfires?

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the recent wildfires and Santa Ana windstorms in Southern California. We...

Shore Hotel Remains Sustainability Leader

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

By Susan Payne On track to open its new coastal-inspired restaurant, Shore Hotel has excited new offerings and initiatives this...

Student Protest Over Immigration Policies Leads to Walkouts Across the Westside

February 7, 2025

February 7, 2025

Walkout Turns Tense as Counter-Protester Confronts Teen in Video From Venice Students from Santa Monica High School (SAMOHI), Culver City...

(Photos) Kamala Harris Visits Destruction of Palisades Fire

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Harris spoke with first responders, service providers, and evacuees about recovery efforts and resources Former Vice President Kamala Harris joined...

10-Year-Old Palisades Girl Wins Martial Arts Medals Weeks After Losing Home to Fire

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Savoian, a green belt in Yoshukai karate, trained at Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center in Pacific Palisades Just weeks after...

Open Arms Art Show Runs Through Mar. 22 in Burbank

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Opening Exhibition Saturday Feb. 8 from 12 to 8p.m. More than an art show, the Open Arms Exhibition is an...

Quiet Luxury: What’s Inside the New Regent Boutique and Sweet July

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

The Regent Santa Monica Beach, known for its perfect Santa Monica getaways, or local dining at its Mediterranean-based restaurant Orla...

THIS WEEKEND: Fire Fundraiser Block Party Coming to Washington Square

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Reggae performances, comedy acts and more to be featured Nalu Vida will host a community block party on Feb. 8...

Venice Shorts: White Bus Somehow Endures on Fourth

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

The vehicle might’ve been parked in Venice for at least two years By Nick Antonicello For whatever reason, the above-mentioned...

Will Rogers State Beach to Become Temporary Hazardous Waste Site

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

The site, located on flat, open land near the burn zone, will serve as a staging area where materials will...

SaMoHi Science Teacher Arrested for Alleged Student Relationship

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Ingo Gaida Faces Misdemeanor Charges After Investigation into Inappropriate Conduct A Santa Monica High School science teacher was arrested Wednesday,...

Dead Body Found on Sands of Venice Beach, Investigation Underway

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

A death investigation is underway By Zach Armstrong A death investigation is underway after local officials discovered a dead body...

Venice Shorts: Cow’s End Completes Renovation

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

New Look Has Locals Impressed By Nick Antonicello The Cow’s End, long an institution with locals and tourists alike, recently...

Santa Monica’s Earth, Wind & Flour to Close After More Than Four Decades

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Known for its laid-back atmosphere and commitment to traditional California Italian cuisine, Earth, Wind & Flour has remained largely unchanged...

Palisades Charter High School to Host Benefit for Students Affected by Fires

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Proceeds from the benefit will go toward replacing essential student resources lost in the fires, including sporting equipment, musical instruments,...