''The Prisoner's Dilemma'' is a theatrical drama written by David Edgar. It refers to the

game theory Game theory is the study of mathematical models of strategic interactions among rational agents. Myerson, Roger B. (1991). ''Game Theory: Analysis of Conflict,'' Harvard University Press, p.&nbs1 Chapter-preview links, ppvii–xi It has appli ...

problem of the same name and portrays its outworking in an

Eastern European Eastern Europe is a subregion of the European continent. As a largely ambiguous term, it has a wide range of geopolitical, geographical, ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic connotations. The vast majority of the region is covered by Russia, whi ...

, post-Cold War setting. The play premiered in The Other Place Theatre by the Royal Shakespeare Company in July 2001 and forms part of a trilogy with '' The Shape of the Table'' and ''

Pentecost Pentecost (also called Whit Sunday, Whitsunday or Whitsun) is a Christianity, Christian holiday which takes place on the 50th day (the seventh Sunday) after Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles in the Ne ...

''. Cast for the premiere included:

Trevor Cooper Trevor Cooper (born 21 September 1953) is an English actor. Background Born 21 September 1953, Cooper studied law at Kingston Polytechnic and graduated with a master's degree in law from the University of Warwick. He taught for two years at Lon ...

(as Nikolai/Kolya),

Larry Lamb Lawrence Douglas Lamb (born 1 October 1947) is an English actor and radio presenter. He played Archie Mitchell in the BBC soap opera '' EastEnders'', Mick Shipman in the BBC comedy series ''Gavin & Stacey'' and Ted Case in the final series of ...

(as Tom),

Joseph Mydell Joseph Mydell (born 1955) is a screen and stage actor, writer and public speaker. Early life Joseph Mydell was born 1955 in Savannah, Georgia. He attended West Savannah elementary school; Tompkins High School(class of 1963); Morehouse College ...

(as Patterson),

Robert Jezek Robert Jezek (born 6 April 1955) is a Canadian stage, film and television actor based in the United Kingdom. Career In 1989, Jezek appeared as Sergeant Zbrigniev in the ''Doctor Who'' television serial ''Battlefield''. He is known for playi ...

(as Hasim), Alan David (as Erik), Zoe Waites (as Kelima),

Penny Downie A penny is a coin ( pennies) or a unit of currency (pl. pence) in various countries. Borrowed from the Carolingian denarius (hence its former abbreviation d.), it is usually the smallest denomination within a currency system. Presently, it is th ...

(as Gina),

Diana Kent Diana Kent is an English actress known for ''Heavenly Creatures ''Heavenly Creatures'' is a 1994 New Zealand biographical psychological drama film directed by Peter Jackson, from a screenplay he co-wrote with his partner, Fran Walsh, and ...

(as Floss),

David Wilmot David Wilmot (January 20, 1814 – March 16, 1868) was an American politician and judge. He served as Representative and a Senator for Pennsylvania and as a judge of the Court of Claims. He is best known for being the prime sponsor and eponym ...

(as James), Douglas Rao (as Al),

Robert Bowman Robert Bowman (also Rob, Bob, or Bobby) may refer to: Sports *Bob Bowman (coach) (born 1965), American swimming coach *Rob Bowman (footballer) (born 1975), English football player * Robert A. Bowman, President and CEO of MLB Advanced Media *Bob Bow ...

(as Roman) and was directed by

Michael Attenborough Michael John Attenborough (born 13 February 1950) is an English theatre director. Background Attenborough was born on 13 February 1950 in London, the only son of actress Sheila Sim and actor-director Richard Attenborough. He is the nephew of ...

, with design by

Es Devlin Esmeralda "Es" Devlin (; born 24 September 1971) is an English artist and stage designer who works in a range of media, often mapping light and projected film onto kinetic sculptural forms. Early life Devlin was born in Kingston upon Thames, ...

References

The Independent , Theatre and Dance : review by Paul Taylor : ''Friday, 20 July 2001''

External links

''The Prisoner's Dilemma''
at burningcoal.org
.Study guide
at burningcoal.org 2001 plays Plays by David Edgar {{2000s-play-stub