The O'Reilly Theater at Keble College, Oxford recently played host to a new show: John Rawls's A Theory of Justice: The Musical! It was billed as "an all-singing, all-dancing romp through 2,500 years of political philosophy."
Here's a trailer from the show:
A Theory of Justice: The Musical - trailer from Tom Edkins Films on Vimeo.
Here's the official description from Vimeo:In order to draw inspiration for his magnum opus, John Rawls travels back through time to converse (in song) with a colourful cast of political philosophers, including Plato, Locke, Rousseau and Mill. But the journey is not as smooth as he hoped: for as he pursues his love interest, the beautiful student Fairness, through history, he must escape the evil designs of his libertarian arch-nemesis, Robert Nozick, and the objectivist seductress, Ayn Rand. Will Rawls achieve his goal of defining Justice as Fairness?
The world’s first feature-length musical about political philosophy showcases a script steeped in drama, humour and romance - with a musical score that covers everything from rap battles to power ballads.
Based on the ground-breaking philosophical book "A Theory of Justice" (1971), this exciting new musical was met with critical acclaim when it opened in Oxford in 2013. Philosopher Nigel Warburton called it "brilliant: hilarious witty and profound... I cried with laughter for most of two hours!"
A crisp student review of the show is here in Philosophy Now. There are apparently plans to bring the show to the U.S., but those who don't want to wait can download the full production for $9.99 here.
Anyone working on Habermas: The Musical? Sunstein: The Musical?
From the post title, I was expecting something more like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2ijL2tljdI
Posted by: Eric Fink | May 09, 2013 at 10:27 PM
This genre really begins and ends with Bruce's Philosopher Song.
Posted by: Jeff Lipshaw | May 11, 2013 at 06:17 AM
This looks great! I love Habermas but somehow have trouble seeing him as musical material. Hannah Arendt maybe.
Posted by: Ann Tweedy | May 12, 2013 at 10:59 PM
Nietzche, the dirge?
Posted by: Laura | May 13, 2013 at 02:31 PM