Fear and Misery of the Third Reich

When originally performed, Brecht's play would no doubt have caused a stir – a series of vignettes outlining the fears and suspicions of everyday life in the Third Reich, presented through theatrical devices little seen before. The problem for a contemporary production is that Brecht's theatrical ideas have lost their edge through overuse.

Much to their credit, this production is textbook Brecht—simple, powerful and emotional—but it plays it very straight and safe, lacking any real venom, ignoring almost the original intent. That said it is a faithful and strong production of what is an often ignored subject - the perils of civilian existence in Nazi Germany. The set is simply made up of three black boxes, although this minimalism is hampered somewhat by the seemingly endless supply of props and costumes within them. Elsewhere around the stage, shoes are suspended from the ceiling, meekly alluding to the countless items collected and worked on by those in concentration camps – this little detail is nice, but it does tend to clutter the stage. The cast themselves exhibit some great potential, with some suggesting glimpses of brilliance that one day will no doubt shine. But the production itself needs to do more.

The simple techniques used just lack the depth and sharpness that Brecht revelled in. Though it is fairly accomplished and should be applauded for its refreshing take on an often explored topic, the production lacks the real drive that any Brecht piece must bring to the fore.