Have you ever wanted to escape your reality for something else? Or perhaps enter into a whole new world where you could relive a moment in your life? Think no further!
What Are Parallel Universes?
The idea that there could be “other universes besides our own where all the choices you made in this life played out in alternative realities” (Howell para 1), explains the concept of parallel universes.
Over the past decade there has been a controversy whether or not parallel universes exist. Some individuals may say it’s a myth, while some may find it to be true. Wherever you stand on the spectrum of disagreeing or agreeing, you probably have secretly fantasize about the idea to enter into another world.
Now your probably wondering where you have seen parallel universes. The following list below are some examples of films that showcase characters living parallel lives.
-Back to the Future (Robert Zemeckis 1985)
-Sliding Doors (Peter Howitt 1998)
-The Machinist (Brad Anderson 2004)
-Inception (Christopher Nolan 2010)
Possible Worlds Theory
In the 18th century, the Possible Worlds theory was
developed by meta physician, Gottfried Leibniz. He proposed that “God formed an infinite number of possible worlds before choosing the actual world” (Swift 137).
Fast-forwarding to the 20th century Leibniz’s concept became associated with two schools of thought:
1. Narrative Semantics—looks at imagination integrating into fictional text such as novels, plays, and films
2.Model Logic—based on individual experience of a lived world and also looked at determining the existence of another world
How Possible Worlds Theory Relates to John Mighton’s Possible Worlds
John Mighton’s Possible Worlds (1990) play is a science-fiction, murder–mystery, romance, and drama that underlines the concept of escaping from ones reality to enter another world. It deals with questioning ethical values with examining living species along with analyzing how our conscious of the unknown can shift our attention to somewhere else. For this reason, the play follows the Model Logic concept by expanding on the idea that individuals can experience living in multiple worlds. For instance, thirty-eight year old George Barber in the play has secretly lived another life. During one conversation he has with his lover Joyce, he questions her if she “believes in other lives” (Mighton 23).
“I’m talking about possible worlds. Each of us exists in an infinite number of possible worlds. In one world I’m talking to you right now but your arm is a little to the left, in another world…” (Mighton 23)
George further explains to Joyce that when he was writing a math test in the seventh grade, the idea came to him that he could envision living in two separate worlds.
“…I looked at my hand and saw a scar. I remembered how I gotten it. I remembered the dog that had bitten me. Only I’d never been bitten by the dog” (Mighton 24)
As we learn more about the life of George and Joyce from the investigation reports detective Berkley and his assistant Williams share, it provides us with some clues as to what exactly happened in their personal life. The constant back and forth scene transitions between the couples flashbacks and the detective scenes, draws us into the story. The anticipation to find out what happens to the characters as they enter into different world settings, has us on the edge of our seats, while we await for an answer.
Previous Possible Worlds Productions adaption to the Concept
In 1990, the first theatre production of Possible Worlds was produced by Canadian Stage Company in St. Laurence Centre, Toronto.
The most well-known theatre production of the play was held at Stratford Festival in 2015. What made Stratford stand out from previous theatre companies production of Possible Worlds, was the Director Mitchell Cushman's unique approach of the play. According to Global and Mail's review on Cushman's production, "the entire show takes place with the actors wading through water..." (Nestruck para 11). As far as the aesthetics used in the show, it presented a fantasy setting in contrast to the playwright's science fictional theme of the script. In addition, the costume designer Dana Osbourne chose neutral and primary colour schemes to suit the directorial concept (Kaplan para 9).
In 2000, Canadian film and theatre director Robert Lepage turned John Mighton's Possible Worlds into a film. Within Lepage's directorial concept, he emphasize a science-fiction narrative that made connection to how the human brain could explore "multiple realities" (Bissonette 393).
Overall, it is still up for debate whether or not multiple universes do actually exist. With the use of virtual reality devices, it has stimulated our interest to fantasize about living in another environment unlike our own. Therefore our quest to find alternate universes still continues.
Related Links
Works Cited
Bissonette, Sylvie. “Cyborg brain in Robert Lepage’s Possible Worlds.” Screen, vol. 50, no. 4, 2009,
pp. 393, https://doi-org.ledproxy2.uwindsor.ca/10.1093/screen/ hjp029. Accessed 5 June 2018.
Howell, Elizabeth. “Parallel Universes: Theories & evidence.” Space.com,
https://www.space.com/32728-parallel-universes.html. Accessed 6 June 2018.
Kaplan, Jon. “Review: Possible Worlds,” Now Toronto,
https://nowtoronto.com/stage/theatre/review-possible-worlds/. Accessed 4 June 2018.
Mighton, John. Possible Worlds. Playwrights Canada Press, 1997.
Nestruck, J. Kelly. “Possible Worlds: A soggy mismatch of sci-fi and fantasy.” The Global and Mail,
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/theatre-reviews/possible-worlds-a-
soggy-mismatch-of-sci-fi-and-fantasy/article25592971/ . Accessed 4 June 2018.
Sanaia, Sandro. “The 20 best movies about alternate reality.” Taste of Cinema,
http://www.tasteofcinema.com/2016/the-20-best-movies-about-alternate-reality/.
Accessed 7 June 2018.
Swift, Elizabeth. "What do audiences do? Negotiating the possible worlds of participatory theatre."
Journal of Contemporary Drama in English, vol. 4, no. 1, 2016, pp.137, http://link.galegroup.com.ezproxy.uwindsor.ca/apps/doc/A471145187/AONE?u=wind05901&sid=AONE&xid=11b1d856.
Accessed 6 June 2018.
Photo Credits
1. Photo by Tribes of Creation
2.Photo by Prime ShockWave TX
3. Photo by David Hou