In his most challenging work to date, Czech playwright Vaclav Havel has given the Faust legend a provocative twist. His setting is "the Institute," whose mission is to combat the "irrational tendencies" in society through its scientific work. Personal and professional relationships at this "lighthouse of truthful knowledge" are a tissue of lies and sycophancy in which all concerned willingly collude.The only tempest in this teapot of careerism is...