Fertlkopf’s Paradox

Synopsis:

The city’s leading theatre company is searching for an actor to play the role of Einstein in a brand new play.

Otto Fertlkopf, an ageing nightclub entertainer, just happens to look like him, and so, in spite of his limited intellect and lack of worldliness, he scores the role.

Despite the doubts of many in the industry, his humility and simplicity win the day, and he is soon an international sensation – so much so that people begin to treat him as if he were in fact Einstein.  This translates into all sorts of awards and honours, including an honorary doctorate and a professorship.

But the demands of his new career and the fame it engenders cause his personal life to suffer, in many ways mimicking what happened to Einstein himself.  He also becomes the focus of certain malign figures who use his reputation to further their designs.

Then, one morning, he wakes with an objection to Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, a slight inconsistency, which comes to be known as ‘Fertlkopf’s Paradox’, which ultimately results in the debunking of Einstein’s work which, in turn, signals the end of his acting career.

Production History:  Not yet produced.

Running-time: 100 minutes.

Only available in hard copy, which can be obtained through the author.