Proof
by David Auburm
Tuesday 23rd September - Saturday 27th September
Tuesday 30th September - Saturday 4th October 2008
Performances start 19:45
Proof was first produced in New York in 2001, where it won the Pulitzer prize for Drama and a Tony award for “best new play”. It subsequently came to the Donmar Theatre in the West End, where I saw it with Gwyneth Paltrow in the cast. It was later made into a film.
It is a play about love and the mysteries of athematics and is, in my
opinion, a little “gem of a play”, elegantly written, with a fascinating
plot and four strongly drawn characters. It is a play about
relationships – father/daughter, sisters and lovers.
Robert (John Davis) is a maths genius working as a Don at the
University of Chicago. In his early 20’s he became famous for proving
a particular mathematical equation, but over the following years
suffered periodic mental breakdowns.
Catherine (Alison Stuart) is his younger daughter, who decides to give up her place at University to care
for her father when he is unwell. She shares his love of mathematics, but is worried that she may also
have inherited his mental instability.
Claire (Joy Andrews) is her older sister, who lives in New York. A career woman, obsessed with the
good things in life, she appears manipulative and insensitive to her sister’s feelings – but she means
well.
Hal (Matt Horan) teaches mathematics at the University, and is an ex-pupil of Robert’s. He plays in a
rock band in his spare time. After Robert’s death, he comes to the house to sort through over 100
notebooks written by Robert during his last illness. He comes to suspect that one of them contains a
formula that proves an ultimate, world-shattering theorem.
You may have noticed a few new names among the cast. I’m delighted to introduce three new faces to
the Archway stage, as well as being fortunate to work with Joy Andrews, who, since she last trod the
boards, has produced baby Lily who is destined to be a future Archway ‘star’.
N.B. Those of you who do not buy a programme for Proof – a word of warning. Act I is in the present,
but Act II contains some scenes that are four years earlier! It could be confusing – I’d buy a programme
if I were you!!
