PHALLACY

�� not only interesting but fully captivating. The play is similar in tone to plays such as Tom Stoppard�s Arcadia or Carey Perloff�s Luminescence Dating. In Mr. Djerassi�s capable hands, the conflict between science and art and truth and beauty has rarely been this engaging. Or, indeed, funny�. If you enjoy witty academic banter, philosophy or great art, this is the show for you.�

Duncan Pflaster in www.broadwayworld.com (New York, May 19, 2007)

�� a smart black comedy� a search for truth as well as the delving into what makes up a person�s passion.�

Lisa Ferber in www.nytheatre.com (New York, May 16, 2007)

�Mr. Djerassi has the ingredients for some funny stuff here, and when he seizes the opportunity the jokes land.�

Neil Genzlinger in New York Times (May 25, 2007).

�multiple strains of scholarship and streams of Shavian banter� impressive writing and lively performances�

James Hannaham in The Village Voice (New York, May 29, 2007)

�� a portrait of the confrontational relationship between two experts, with their banter, some of it quite funny, defining the issues... amusing and edifying to watch them in action.�

William Wolf in Wolf Entertainment Guide (New York, May 2007)

�As an expose of bias on both sides of the divide, Djerassi�s play is itself wonderfully unbiased. Psychosexual as well as comic relief� a fine theatre experience.�

Rick Mullin in Chem. & Eng. News (June 4, 2007)

�A comedy of academic manners� keeps the proceedings lively, never allowing intellectuality to stand in the way of a good joke. There�s even a touch of animate-inanimate eroticism.�

The New Yorker (June 4, 2007)

��intriguing and thought-provoking stuff, and very well acted�

Julia Hickman in Theatreworld Internet Magazine (London, April 16, 2005)

�� a satirical black comedy about academic infighting� a happily satisfying mix of broad humour and thought-provoking comment.�

Gerald Berkowitz in Theatreguide London (April 17, 2005)

�Phallacy is knowingly clever, it requires your concentration, but it manages to be playful as well�. A mixture of farce and thriller�beautiful set�fluid production�

Heather Neill in Whatsonstage.com (London, April 18, 2005)

�Science and arts in stylish conflict� strongly played characters in an entertaining and jocular relationship� witty and light-hearted� anybody who fears intellectual overkill can rest at ease. Like Tom Stoppard�s Arcadia, Phallacy is cleverly staged��

Rachel Calton in Camden New Journal (London, April 21, 2005)

�What is the true value of art? In Carl Djerassi�s play, Viennese art historian Regina Leitner-Opfermann says �art is never necessary, simply indispensable�� but the true fascination of this piece is the battle that rages on between Rex and Regina—played with gusto by Karen Archer and Jack Klaff.�

Aline Waites in Ham & High (London, April 22, 2005)

�Beyond the clash between scientific and artistic approaches to art, what holds the interest in Andy Jordan�s slick and expensive-looking production are the fascinating methods deployed by experts in attributing a work of art�s origin. On this, Djerassi knows his stuff, giving the sense that both we and the play are in the hands of a capable playwright and an expert scientist.�

John Nathan in The JC Jewish Chronicle (London, April 22, 2005

�One of the classic problems of story-telling is how to get across essential information to the audience, and both the science and the art historical information in the play is clearly transmitted and convincing. And a period storyline� serves to humanize the ultimate goals behind both academic disciplines in question, and to put their grandiose debate into perspective. They also bolster director Andy Jordan�s intriguing staging before the opening lines, when modern and historical characters swirl through the set in an oddly touching, timeless parade of museum-goers. �fun, non-strenuous satire.�

Jennifer Rohn in LabLit.com (London, April 23, 2005)

�A debate on what makes art original and whether science or art can best capture human reality� It�s all high-concept stuff, and there are plenty of thoughtful juxtapositions along the way.�

Helen Chappell in What�s On (London, April 26, 2005)

�This is an unusual, light and enjoyable play, recommended especially� Michael Taylor�s set would do a West End production proud� one of the most attractive and realistic set seen for a long time.�

Lastminute.com (London, April 27, 2005)

"Phallacy is an intriguing play, well acted, fast moving and embracing a host of questions and human situations that are rarely touched upon in modern theatre� an appealing and thought-provoking new production."

Robin Clark in Nature (April 28, 2005)

�Phallacy is the latest of eminent chemist Djerassi�s �science-in-theatre� plays. Suggested by a true story, the piece is packed with fascinating scientific and art historical facts, but is at its best dramatically when it concentrates on academic satire.�

Robert Shore in Time Out London (May 4, 2005)

�Part detective story, part satire of academic infighting, the play rolls along enjoyably under Andy Jordan�s fluid direction, comfortably mixing broad comedy with thought-provoking debate.�

Gerald Berkowitz in The Stage (London, May 5, 2005).

�Phallacy is fast and funny, and captures well the bull-headedness of old-style museum curators� Djerassi makes a fun and furious play of it.�

Josie Appleton in Culture Wars—Institute of Ideas (London, May 18, 2005)

�This is gripping, intelligent theatre��

Lionel Milgrom in ChemistryWorld (London, June 2005)

�Djerassi manages to make complex scientific, art historical and philosophical ideas accessible, even entertaining, and Andy Jordan�s lively, slick production brings out the best in the play.�

Melanie Branton in TheatreWorld (London, June 2005)

�� an elegantly crafted drama about the conflicts of art and science... bracingly acted�

Mark Shenton in Sunday Express (London, June 5, 2005)