Proof: A Play

This is a wonderful, well-thought out play. The cast consists of only four characters and the plot moves back and forth in time from the present to the past and from dreams to reality. Catherine's father, Robert (who seems loosely based on the real-life John Nash) was one of the most brilliant mathematicians to have ever lived. By the time he was 25 he had changed the mathematics world twice. Then he became mentally sick and his brilliant and beautiful daughter Catherine drops out of school to take care of him. Robert dies, but Catherine has inherited some of his gifts. Though she was forced to drop out of college, she, too is a mathematical genius. The only problem is that her "boyfriend" Hal and her older sister Claire think she has also inherited some of Robert's dementia. What starts off as a play seemingly about mathematics and the effects of dementia ends up really being a piece of theatrical genius about love and family. A great show if done right.

No complaints

Outstanding story full of deep characters and nuanced storytelling. A wonderful play. Highly recommended!!

I've seen this play twice in the last week, and the movie some time ago. Last week's play in North Hollywood was produced by the actress who played Catherine. She's talented, and doubtless wanted to do the show since it is such a wonderful vehicle for a young woman. She also is in a wheelchair. What I saw during this show is the nearly continuous humor! Some Amazon reviewers have mentioned the wit -- one calling it sarcasm -- but none have paid it the heed I think it deserves. And that's one of the things about live theater. The humor really comes out, takes a stretch and breathes. Of course it also illuminates the characters, probably much more economically than simple exposition could. The second production I saw was LACHSAs -- the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. They staged it with FORTY actors, switching midscene between pairs of students. It was much less jarring than you might think. So that gave us many-more-than-one takes on how an actor might work with the material. Plus these young people got to flex their wings. So I bought the script from Amazon and will see about producing it. My dad is a PhD mathematician. I'm a middle aged guy. Let's say talentwise I'm at the experienced community theater level. But I have an advantage that may let me do something special with the play. My daughter is a talented actress. And she's 25.

had ro read for school. not bad story

My first review was rejected because I focused too much on how great the company performed. So, let me tell you how great this script is. I saw the movie. It was ok. I was told to read the script because it is much, MUCH better. So, I am. The condition of the play is brand new. The print is clear and very legible. None of the pages seem to be out of order or printed upside down. I'm looking forward to sitting down and enjoying this.

This book makes you doubt your understanding of mental health.

I saw a fabulous production of this show at Theatreworks in California this kyear (2015). As soon as it was over I decided I wanted to see it again so I purchased the script and as I read it I could see the wonderful actors who performed it again and again. This is a beautiful play.

In a very audacious provocative way, David Auburn questions the concept of "normality", converging with the Anti-Psychiatry movement. The counter-hero (the "abnormal" one turns to be the likable hero) while the hero (the "normal" sister appears rather an unpleasant counter-hero!). If he breaks the rule of decency that use to govern the theatre, by making his characters swear and even use the f.... word, it is to enhance their reality and proximity: they could be one of us!

Ein genialer Mathematiker, Robert, ist gerade verstorben, er wurde die letzten Jahren von seiner Tochter Catherine betreut, nachdem seine Fähigkeiten auf Grund einer geistigen Erkrankung nachließen, sie hat dafür ihr Studium – ebenfalls Mathematik – unterbrochen, und lässt sich seitdem etwas gehen. Das vier Personen Stück von David Auburn beginnt mit dem Vorabend von Catherine 25. Geburtstag – dem 4. September. – einem guten Tag – wie der tote Robert, in einem geistigen Zwiegespräch feststellt. Im Laufe der Handlung, die immer wieder mit zeitlichen Rückblenden arbeitet, findet Hal, ein ehemaliger Student von Robert, in einem von dessen Notizbüchern die Skizzen zu einem Beweis einer tiefen zahlentheoretischen Erkenntnis; zur allgemeiner Überraschung verkündet Catherine, dass diese Notizen geschrieben hat. Das Stück handelt in eindringlicher Weise von der Leidenschaft nach Erkenntnis, der fragilen Begabung, tiefer hinter die geheimnisvollen mathematischen Zusammenhänge blicken zu können, einer Leidenschaften, die mit unter ihren Preis verlangt; diese Leidenschaft teilt Catherine mit ihrem Vater. Den Gegenpol bildet Claire, Chatherines bodenständige Schwester. Diese faszinierende Konstellation diente dem Boston Globe in einem Leitartikel vom 16. Mai 2002 als eines von drei Beispielen "When Did Math Become Sexy?" Für 'Proof' erhielt der Autor den Pulitzer Prize und den Toni Award für das Jahr 2001. 2005 wude das Stück als Film adaptiert, mit Anthony Hopkins und Gwyneth Paltrow in den Hauptrollen.

We were asked to buy this for my daughter’s drama sessions and have ended up fascinated. Such a good read even though it’s a play. Arrived on time and in great condition.

One of the best works on mathematicians without using any mathematics.

海外の舞台が好きな人は必見！ ピューリッツァー賞をとったというのも納得できます。 特に数学とかやってた方に勧めたいなー。