The Fire Raisers (2008)
by Max Frisch
Directed by Richard Watkins
Performances: Tue 15th - Sat 19th April 2008, Prompt Corner
Contents
Introduction
Dramatic sparks will fly in April in the South London Theatre's production of "The Fire Raisers".
Swiss-German writer, Max Frisch's most famous play is very black, very funny and quite weird. The play, published in 1958, and set in an unspecific modern European city, is about bourgeois reaction and fear, and the insidiousness of radical urban terror. Or you might just see it as a grotesque domestic comedy of manners. And it includes a Greek chorus of fire officers commentating on the action!
What better place to stage a play about terrorist arson attacks than the SLT, an old fire station! So this is sure to be a burning hot ticket.
The play opens in a city plagued with arson attacks which are terrorising its citizens. The arsonists insinuate themselves into respectable people's homes to use as a base for starting the terrible fires. Capitalist Herr Biedermann is forthright in his condemnation of those responsible, holding forth on the subject with little prompting. So, how does he wind up allowing two strange men to reside in his attic, what the hell are they doing with several large drums of oil and fuse cord, and how does he manage this appalling situation?
I will be directing the play with a cast of eight, with three fire officer/chorus parts doubling in 3 minor roles. In the staging, I want to retain a fifties feel and not update it; the setting will be indicated by key furniture and lighting. I wish to bring out the unconventional elements of the play, whilst retaining the essential humanity of the reactions to the unfolding events. Richard Watkins, director.
Cast
- Gottlieb Biedermann - Reginald Stewart
- Babette Biedermann - Annabel Entress
- Anna, the maid - Venetia Twigg
- Schmitz - Antonio Silvestri
- Eisenring - James Watson
- Chorus leader, fire officer / PhD - Jamie Scott-Clapperton
- Chorus 2, fire officer / WPC - Jenny Mortier
- Chorus 3, fire officer / Widow Knechtling - Charlotte Vaight
Crew
- Stage Manager - Mark Ireson
- Assistant Stage Manager / Production Assistant - David Redford-Green
- Assistant Stage Manager - Kavina Kamat
- Sound Design - Bob Callender
- Lighting Design - Induja Bandara,Anna York
- Special set and props work - Hans Mudlamootoo, Michael Wilson, Alex Robinson
- Costume - Lisa Thomas
- Photography - Mark Davies
- Poster Design - Alex Robinson
Reviews
Some review quotes go here
Gallery
Production photos by Mark Davies
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
Members are encouraged to write about their experiences of working on or seeing this production. Please leave your name. Anonymous entries may be deleted.
See Also
References
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