Taking Sides (2007)

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Taking Sides (2007)

Click to see a larger picture of Taking Sides

Directed By
Alan Wiseman

Producer
Elaine Burns

Production Type
Company Production

Production Location
Main Theatre

Turnout: 23%

User Rating: (Awaiting votes)

Flier Summary:



	*by Ronald Harwood*

Description:



	Alan Wiseman (Director) This is Alan‘s first opportunity to direct in the main theatre, he having previously directed 'Red Devils' and 'Talking Heads' in the Studio. His first appearance with Nomads was 'The Gin Game', a formidable debut, four ... [more]

Production Dates & Prices: (Please note Booking Information)



Date	Time	Price
Tuesday 20th November 2007	8:00pm	£9.00
Wednesday 21st November 2007	8:00pm	£9.00
Thursday 22nd November 2007	8:00pm	£9.00
Friday 23rd November 2007	8:00pm	£9.00
Saturday 24th November 2007	8:00pm	£9.00

Cast: (in programme order)



Steve Rowland	... Major Steve Arnold
Kimberley Javis	... Emmi Straube
Mary Parsons	... Tamara Sachs
Dan Mayer	... Helmuth Roda
Francis Pindar	... Lieutenant David Wills
John Norris	... Wilhelm Furtwangler

Crew: (in programme order)



Alan Wiseman	... Director
Elaine Burns	... Producer
Martin Lawrance	... Stage Manager
Charles Hope	... Lighting Designer
David Martin	... Lighting Operator
Tim Williams	... Sound Design

Act1:



Scene 1	February. Morning.

Act2:



Scene 1	April. Night.
Scene 2	July. Morning

Official Review:

Official Review by Derrick Graham

Major Steve Arnold is a revolting ignoramus, completely lacking any knowledge of culture, music or art and the worst example of American isolationism of how the rest of the world lived. Steve Rowland played him to perfection! This was the Nomad Theatre production of Taking Sides, a play set in the American sector of post war Berlin and the hunt for supporters of the Nazi regime. The Major’s job is to interrogate for the Tribunal that will decide on the prisoner’s future and no matter how culturally famous they were, in his view they all supported the Nazis and should be punished. Thus to him the world famous conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwangler, was just a bandleader and despite evidence that he had actively saved the lives of many Jewish musicians, that, the Major reckoned, was just his insurance for the future. The setting was a drab office amongst the rubble of the city, staffed by a German Jewish secretary Emmi, whose father had been killed by the Nazis. Kim Jarvis was completely convincing, excellent accent and submissive tolerance of her employer. Lt. David Wills is the interpreter, born in Germany but taken to the U.S. as a child. He is a cultured music lover, a clever foil against the Major and an excellent characterisation by Francis Pindar. To get his evidence, Arnold interviews Helmuth Rode, the orchestra’s second violinist and in this part the Nomad’s had a crisis. Three days before the play opened, the actor was taken ill and the Director, Alan Wiseman, had to learn the part, though fortunately knew all the moves. This was an important role with several speeches lasting over 5 minutes as Rode relates what life was like working with Furtwangler. Brilliant acting, superb make-up and perfect accent. Also giving evidence was Frau Sachs whose Jewish husband had died in Auschwitz despite Furtwangler trying to save him. Mary Parsons put over well this distraught woman whose trauma was disturbing her mind. John Norris as Furtwangler was brilliant, a commanding presence, wonderful delivery of the lines with just enough accent for a man used to performing and speaking all over the world. Arnold had no concept of how life under the Nazi regime meant you either supported the Party or didn’t work, or possibly ended in a death camp. A superb performance, but a disappointing ending to the play (the author’s fault) as the two hour build-up to what finally happened was not revealed. (He was completely cleared by the Tribunal).

Recommendations:


Taking Sides paperback
Taking Sides DVD
Taking Sides CD

User Reviews:

No Online Reviews Found

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