Arthur Riordan

A musical about WWII, espionage, and probability theory. Strange mixture? Yes. Does it work? Strangely, yes...I think. I probably would have to see it staged to be sure. The characters aren't particularly well fleshed out, which is often a problem in a musical, especially one so ambitious. The plot is convoluted but manages to wrap itself up in the end. The conflict concerns Irish neutrality in WWII; the plot device a Douglas Adams-like probability adjuster. The wit and charm of Adams could have lifted this from an OK work to a work of uncompromising genius; it does have some interesting moments, but many of the points reach a bit too far.… (meer)

http://nhw.livejournal.com/1005746.html

Excellent musical comedy, set in 1941 and concerning the adventures of an innocent code-breaker sent to Dublin by British intelligence, who ends up dealing with John Betjeman, Myles na gCopaleen, Erwin Schrödinger, and Ireland's secret weapon. Some great one-liners - the staff of the British Embassy sing a number with the title "Be Careful Not To Patronise The Irish"; Schrödinger unsuccessfully pursues a woman who scolds him "Don't you wave your filthy particles at me". I do wish I'd been able to see the stage version, and perhaps the sound track will become commercially available some time.… (meer)