“Farm Hall,” a powerful and riveting wartime thriller examining how close Nazi Germany came to developing an atomic bomb, will make its United States premiere this January in Los Angeles. Written by British playwright and historian Katherine Moar, the drama brings to life the untold story of six German nuclear scientists held captive by Allied forces during World War II.
The play dramatizes a fascinating historical mystery, following six renowned German nuclear scientists who were detained as “guests” at Farm Hall, a manor house in Cambridgeshire, England. Between July 1945 and January 1946, the scientists remained isolated from the outside world, unaware that their conversations were being secretly recorded and transcribed.
The story takes a dramatic turn when the scientists learn about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, forcing them to confront the reality of their theoretical work. As they pass time with board games, a broken-down piano, and a copy of “Blithe Spirit,” tensions rise as jealousies emerge and private agendas are revealed.
Directed by Judith Hendra, cofounder of Topanga Actors Company, the production features Edward Giron as Heisenberg, Andy Spring as Weisacker, Ben Birmingham as Bagge, Patrick Skelton as von Laue, Tom Waters as Hahn, and Mark Irvingsen as Diebner. London Theatre describes it as “a thrilling wartime drama from the frontline of nuclear fission.”
The play follows successful runs at London’s Jermyn Street Theatre in March 2023, before transferring to the Theatre Royal Bath and then landing at West End’s Theatre Royal, Haymarket in 2024. The 105-minute drama runs for three consecutive weekends from Jan. 10 through Jan. 26 at the Promenade Playhouse, located at 10931 W Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064.
Performances are scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday performances on Jan. 12 at 6 p.m., and Jan. 20 and 26 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $27 for general admission, $24 for students and seniors, and $23 for groups of six or more. Parking is available in the theater lot.
For tickets, visit www.onstage411.com/farmhall. Additional information is available at topangaactorscompany@theatercompany.org.
