The Earth’s Core | Denmark
Written by Simone Isabel Nørgaard
Translated by Paul Russell Garrett
Directed by Kay Martinovich
In partnership with
Synopsis
In 1936 Inge Lehmann solves one of science’s great mysteries, discovering the Earth’s inner core. Lehmann dedicates her life to science but never receives full recognition for her massive discovery and contributions, remaining largely unknown in her native Denmark.
The Earth’s Core brings Lehmann’s story to life, in a play about women and science in the twentieth century. We see Lehmann up close as she struggles with herself and with the outside world, and we get to meet the other people in her life. A forgotten fate unfolds into a drama that spans both decades and continents.
Playwright - Simone Isabel Nørgaard
Translator - Paul Russell Garrett
Director - Kay Martinovich
Playwright - Simone Isabel Nørgaard completed her studies at The Danish National School of Playwriting (Aarhus) in 2013. Her work has been performed on stages across Denmark, as well as in Germany.
Nørgaard has a particular interest in psychological drama, in history’s forgotten fates, and in what happens when harsh realism meets the poetic magic of theatre. In 2016 she was awarded the Danish Society of Playwright’s Talent Prize, in 2019 she received support from the Danish Arts Foundation, and in 2020 she won the Reumert Prize for Best Playwright for The Earth’s Core.
Translator - Paul Russell Garrett is a working-class translator from Danish and Norwegian. Literary translations include Lars Mytting’s The Sixteen Trees of the Somme and Christina Hesselholdt’s Vivian and Companions. His translation of Anna Bro's Horror (working title) will be staged by Foreign Affairs theatre company in London in 2026. Collaboration plays a key role in his practice, with his involvement in numerous co-translations and a range of mentorship and translator training programmes. Paul serves on the committee of the UK Translators Association as the CEATL delegate, and works as a Danish tutor at several UK institutions. Originally from Vancouver, Paul now calls London home.
Director - Kay Martinovich (she/hers) is a Chicago-based director, where she most recently directed Jeff-nominated and critically acclaimed Green Corridors by Natalka Vorozhbyt at Trap Door Theatre. In fall 2024, she directed a staged reading of Green Corridors for IVP and Trap Door. Other credits include: The Police by Sławomir Mrozek in world premiere translation by Joanna Trzeciak for Theatre of the Absurd Festival @Chopin Theatre; God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza @Kane Repertory; Jeff-nominated and Chicago premiere of The Father by Florian Zeller @Remy Bumppo, Deirdre of the Sorrows by John M. Synge @City Lit, and Jeff-nominated Naked by Luigi Pirandello and Jeff-award winning La Bête by David Hirson both @Trap Door. Kay has a long-standing association with Trap Door, having directed several shows, starting with Bremen Freedom. As Associate Artistic Director for Irish Repertory of Chicago, Kay directed the U.S. premiere of By the Bog of Cats by Marina Carr as well as productions of Bailegangaire, Pentecost, The Mai, and Two by Friel from Chekhov. Kay’s work has been seen on many Chicago stages, including Lifeline, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Her Story, GreatWorks, MaryArrchie, Live Bait, Circle, Apple Tree, Famous Door, Emerald City, and Theatre Wit, among others. She holds a PhD in Theatre Historiography from the University of Minnesota and MPhil in Irish Theatre from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. Kay is Associate Professor and Head of the BFA Acting program at Northern Illinois University, where she teaches Meisner-based acting. Proud member of SDC, the professional directors’ union. Please visit: kaymartinovich.com