West Germany, 1969. Charismatic Willy Brandt has been elected Chancellor. When Brandt ‘dares more democracy’, his own party conspires, plots and tries to destroy him. As his enemies tighten the noose around his neck, Brandt believes the only man he can truly trust is Gunter Guillaume, his devoted personal assistant. Read more …
But in the world of political intrigue, espionage and betrayal, is anyone to be trusted? Shakespearean in scale but with all the twists and spins of modern politics, Democracy combines the fascination of a John Le Carre thriller (Tinker,Tailor, Soldier, Spy and The Night Manager) with the dynamism of The West Wing and House of Cards.
Witty, thought provoking and highly entertaining, Democracy is a compelling and unmissable night at the theatre.
Following an acclaimed West End run, Michael Frayn’s award-winning play premieres in Scotland in an exciting new production from Scotland’s leading touring theatre company: Rapture Theatre.
Rapture’s flat production of Michael Frayn’s 2003 play has more the stagy air of Yes, Prime Minister than the the sharpness of House of Cards.
It boasts a formidable central performance from Tom Hodgkins as Brandt, with Neil Caple in eager support as Guillaume.
If you’re inclined to enjoy top-notch performances from some of the country’s most talented and varied actors – not to mention a critically acclaimed writer – give this hauntingly intelligent production a go.
An almost interminable three hours in the theatre.
Provocative, political, complex, intelligent, challenging.
By the end of the nearly three-hour running time the overriding response to all the personal and political intrigue is a heartfelt “so what?”
With an all male cast performing dramatised events from over forty years ago, one could easily argue that the play is outdated and backward. Yet, in our current political climate of backstabbing, cheating and inner circle tactics, it’s not difficult to see why Democracy is a play that has current relevance.
Productions such as Democracy ask us to look back to our own history, to learn from it, engage with it and not bury it away – instead witness it before us.
‘Democracy’ uses its title several times in the course of this story that can’t quite make up its mind where its emphasis ought to be.
A taut two or three-hander lasting an hour would surely have done better justice to the story than this sprawling affair, lacking as it is in tension, immediacy or even much interest.
More West Wing than Deutschland 83, this complex, and at times long-winded piece, still manages to give a fascinating insight into a period of history that changed the world forever.
Preview: Democracy
On Tour, from Friday September 2, 2016, until Wednesday October 12, 2016.
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