Incognito – reviews of Nick Payne's 'astonishing' new play
Payne's ambitious new play about neuroscience makes him a rival to Stoppard, say critics
What you need to know Nick Payne's new play Incognito has opened at the Bush Theatre, London. British playwright Payne is best known for his West End hit Constellations.
Incognito weaves together fact and fiction in three narratives about the nature of identity and memory. In 1955 a pathologist performing an autopsy on Albert Einstein steals his brain to find out what made him a genius; somewhere in 1950s England a man undergoes brain surgery that erases his memory; and in present day London, a clinical neuropsychologist re-evaluates her life when her marriage falls apart.
The production, directed by Joe Murphy, premiered at High Tide theatre festival last month. Runs until 21 June.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What the critics like After mixing astrophysics with rom-com in Constellations, "Payne now makes neuroscience into something equally exciting", says Dominic Maxwell in The Times. This richly human meditation on memory and identity is propulsive, amusing and bewitching rather than befuddling.
Payne's new work is more ambitious, complex, demanding and more successful than his previous hit, Constellations, says Ian Shuttleworth in the Financial Times. "And as with all the best puzzles, we are left with a sense of emotional as well as intellectual fulfilment".
This canny, haunting new piece is a "playful, funny-sad attempt to put theory into action", says The Independent. And in Joe Murphy's fiercely lucid and involving production, the narrative leaps feel synaptic in their instantaneousness.
What they don't like Nick Payne's "astonishing and original" new play confirms him as a rival to Tom Stoppard, says Charles Spencer in the Daily Telegraph. But after watching it, Spencer admits his brain felt as if had been on a challenging assault course, and he needed "a hot bath, a cup of sweet tea and a nice lie-down".
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Magazine solutions - May 10, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 10, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - May 10, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 10, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
'Box Trump in for real if he pulls another stunt. Put him behind bars.'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Silversea cruise review: a Central and North American adventure
The Week Recommends An incredible journey featuring cultural exploration, cooking classes, comfort and more
By Yasemen Kaner-White Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published
-
La Zebra review: beach chic, perfect tacos and secret cenotes
The Week Recommends Enjoy a stylish stay in Mexico at this family-friendly beach hotel and restaurant
By William Leigh Published