REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Theatre of Heaven & Hell present
THE FIRE RAISERS
by Max Frisch
Palace Theatre, Dixon Studio, Westcliff on Sea
17th-21st September 2019
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Theatre of Heaven & Hell present
THE FIRE RAISERS
by Max Frisch
Palace Theatre, Dixon Studio, Westcliff on Sea
17th-21st September 2019
Not a huge theatre-goer? Like to watch a bit of quirky comedy on the telly box? Enjoy watching live music? Well this is the play for you!
The Theatre of Heaven & Hell originate from Southend on Sea and since forming five years ago, are making their ninth production an opportunity to return to their roots after performing regularly in London, Manchester and Guildford as well as on the fringe circuit. Their uniqueness is their commitment to perform absurd comedy and drama and they have had huge success with their previous productions which include, The Lesson by Eugene Ionesco, The Hole by N F Simpson and Hamlet Part II by Perry Pontac.
Max Frisch's 1948 play, The Fire Raisers, is their latest venture which, despite being seen as a serious comment on the rise of Nazism and the neutrality of Switzerland in the Second World War, also professes to teach us that, "today's bad ideas are tomorrow's disasters". If heavy political undercurrents in a drama aren't really your thing, don't be put off - more in a moment. If they are, and you want to have a deep and meaningful discussion on the metaphors within this play, that's great and you will possibly have hours of in depth conversation discussing how things haven't changed since this play was written and discover certain similarities and relevance with the politics and issues of today. However, if you just want to be immersed in watching great theatre and enjoy random, quirky and wittily written musical interludes then this will certainly be your bag.
Joseph Schmitz (Marius Clements) sweet talks his way into the home of of Herr Biedermann, nicely played by Darren Ruston and is further joined by his partner in crime, 'WIllie' Eisenring (Jake W Francis). There is fear from the house owner that they could be part of the 'Fire Raisers' who are plaguing the community with arson attacks, but the two men settle down in Herr Biedermann's attic where they go on to store barrels of petrol and although they make no attempt to disguise their actions, he refuses to believe their intentions. A nervy wife, Babette, (Angela Clements) and a no nonsense maid, Anna, (Elena Clements) attempt to thwart proceedings but the two men in the attic have Biederman over a petrol fuelled barrel and being professional hoodwinkers, use jokes and sentimentality to fool him into not believing the actual truth they are telling him.
This play is a joy to watch with some great performances and wonderful original music from the Chorus interspersed throughout. Elena Clements kicks off the evening with a beautiful rendition of David Bowie's Cat People sung in German as part of the Chorus. and all of the other musical numbers have been written by director, Michael Clements, and have been adapted and arranged by the company. I would go again to hear just to hear the songs - the arrangements are fabulous.
Quite often in productions I see certain actors who stand out and who are clearly natural performers; with one of their parents' directing the play and the other performing alongside them, it's not surprising to see that the acting genes stand out from brother and sister, Marius and Elena Clements. They both put in the most hugely watchable performances in this play. Jake W Francis is also one to note, not least with his jaw dropping musical range and natural comedic skills. The whole company really click and really work well together.
This play gives you pretty much what it says on the tin: drama, comedy, music, absurdity and all inside just one Act of around 90 minutes.
The genre may be absurd but you would seriously be crazy to miss this play!
Tickets are available online at www.southendtheatres.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01702 351135 or buy on the door
The Theatre of Heaven & Hell originate from Southend on Sea and since forming five years ago, are making their ninth production an opportunity to return to their roots after performing regularly in London, Manchester and Guildford as well as on the fringe circuit. Their uniqueness is their commitment to perform absurd comedy and drama and they have had huge success with their previous productions which include, The Lesson by Eugene Ionesco, The Hole by N F Simpson and Hamlet Part II by Perry Pontac.
Max Frisch's 1948 play, The Fire Raisers, is their latest venture which, despite being seen as a serious comment on the rise of Nazism and the neutrality of Switzerland in the Second World War, also professes to teach us that, "today's bad ideas are tomorrow's disasters". If heavy political undercurrents in a drama aren't really your thing, don't be put off - more in a moment. If they are, and you want to have a deep and meaningful discussion on the metaphors within this play, that's great and you will possibly have hours of in depth conversation discussing how things haven't changed since this play was written and discover certain similarities and relevance with the politics and issues of today. However, if you just want to be immersed in watching great theatre and enjoy random, quirky and wittily written musical interludes then this will certainly be your bag.
Joseph Schmitz (Marius Clements) sweet talks his way into the home of of Herr Biedermann, nicely played by Darren Ruston and is further joined by his partner in crime, 'WIllie' Eisenring (Jake W Francis). There is fear from the house owner that they could be part of the 'Fire Raisers' who are plaguing the community with arson attacks, but the two men settle down in Herr Biedermann's attic where they go on to store barrels of petrol and although they make no attempt to disguise their actions, he refuses to believe their intentions. A nervy wife, Babette, (Angela Clements) and a no nonsense maid, Anna, (Elena Clements) attempt to thwart proceedings but the two men in the attic have Biederman over a petrol fuelled barrel and being professional hoodwinkers, use jokes and sentimentality to fool him into not believing the actual truth they are telling him.
This play is a joy to watch with some great performances and wonderful original music from the Chorus interspersed throughout. Elena Clements kicks off the evening with a beautiful rendition of David Bowie's Cat People sung in German as part of the Chorus. and all of the other musical numbers have been written by director, Michael Clements, and have been adapted and arranged by the company. I would go again to hear just to hear the songs - the arrangements are fabulous.
Quite often in productions I see certain actors who stand out and who are clearly natural performers; with one of their parents' directing the play and the other performing alongside them, it's not surprising to see that the acting genes stand out from brother and sister, Marius and Elena Clements. They both put in the most hugely watchable performances in this play. Jake W Francis is also one to note, not least with his jaw dropping musical range and natural comedic skills. The whole company really click and really work well together.
This play gives you pretty much what it says on the tin: drama, comedy, music, absurdity and all inside just one Act of around 90 minutes.
The genre may be absurd but you would seriously be crazy to miss this play!
Tickets are available online at www.southendtheatres.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01702 351135 or buy on the door
“We’re reminded of those leaders who use their charisma and the appearance of buffoonery to slip under the radar
★★★★ - London Pub Theatres
"Comedic chaos...."
★★★★ - Theatre Things UK
"Chilling a relevance in the modern world.." - Reviews Hub
"If you get a chance to see Theatre of Heaven and Hell do anything then DO. Incredibly talented company.." - Guildford Fringe Festival
"You can read Trump, Brexit and anything else you want into it. This timely revival captures both the humour and the darkness with new songs and a snappy pace that elides the absurdity."
★★★★ - London Pub Theatres
"Comedic chaos...."
★★★★ - Theatre Things UK
"Chilling a relevance in the modern world.." - Reviews Hub
"If you get a chance to see Theatre of Heaven and Hell do anything then DO. Incredibly talented company.." - Guildford Fringe Festival
"You can read Trump, Brexit and anything else you want into it. This timely revival captures both the humour and the darkness with new songs and a snappy pace that elides the absurdity."
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Cast:
Herr Beidermann - Darren Ruston
Frau Beidermann - Angela Clements Anna/Chorus - Elena Clements Herr Schmitz/Chorus - Marius Clements Herr Eisenring/Chorus - Jake Francis Herr Doktor/Policeman/Chorus - Brian Eastty Leader of the Chorus - Nick Bright Music written and performed by the company Directed by Michael Clements Stage Manager - Jess Ackland |
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