SENIOR PRODUCTION WEEK 12–19 MAY Playing with fire
Two of the most thought- provoking plays of the 20th century – The Arsonists by Max Frisch and Lord of the Flies by William Golding – were staged in the Old Boys’ Theatre in Senior Production Week in May. Similar but different, these two powerful works still resonate today. They encourage us to think about how we treat each other and our responsibilities to all humanity, and remind us of the consequences of apathy – how evil can triumph when good people do nothing.
Eyes wide open to evil Those who don’t stand up to evil become complicit. Don’t be afraid to speak up against wrongdoing – and act … These are just two of the messages of The Arsonists , a black comedy and extended metaphor about weakness in the face of evil. A strong Year 13 cast told the story of good natured Gottlieb Biedermann (Zac Matson) who allowed two visitors (Ed Bayliss and Nathan Penrose) to plausibly but insidiously install themselves in his home. Ignoring his wife Babette’s (Jorja Farrant) concerns and impervious to the warnings of – in Ancient Greek style – the
Chorus of Firemen, he allows the situation to escalate until it is beyond redemption. “I just want a quiet life. It’s hard for a citizen, used to doing good deeds,” says Biedermann at one point, his decency proving to be his weakness. The Arsonists was directed by Robyn Peers, with technical direction and pyrotechnics by Grant Bennett. The ending was truly spectacular – with smoke, sirens and explosions filling the theatre – and the audience were left with a lot to think about.
Christ’s College Canterbury
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