“The close association between gymnastics (jumping) and philosophy is, I believe, unique to this university,” observes the hero of this play, one George Moore, professor of moral philosophy, to the inspector who has come to investigate the rumour, alas all too true, that one of the gymnasts — the professor of logic, no less — has been shot dead while performing in George’s living room.

Among the many problems George has to face while attempting seriously to debate the existence of God are the disappearance of his specially trained hare and the interest of both his Vice-Chancellor and the inspector in his beautiful young wife, Dotty.

From such diverse material Stoppard has devised a sparkling farce, at once intellectually brilliant and hilariously funny.