This week at the Carriageworks, Theatre Unlimited present ‘Defying Hitler’ and ‘Stalin’s Favourite’ as part of their ‘Living History’ series. The two plays, adapted by Rupert Wickham, talk about the experiences of individuals living in Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia.
‘Defying Hitler’ is based on an account of Sebastian Haffner’s life growing up in Berlin between the World Wars. It has toured nationwide, including an opening at London’s New End Theatre and the National Theatre. ‘Stalin’s Favourite’ was adapted from Orlando Figues’ highly acclaimed book ‘The Whisperers’, and premièred at the National Theatre in November. It tells the story of a poet, Konstantin Simonov, who rises suddenly to fame in Soviet Russia in 1941. Now elderly and unwell, the writer reflects over his life.
To learn more about the plays, I talked to Rupert Wickham, who has adapted both plays and plays Konstantin in ‘Stalin’s Favourite’. He is an accomplished writer and stage actor with a career that has seen him appear on stage as Algernon in ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ at the Manchester Royal Exchange and Mercutio in ‘Romeo and Juliet’, directed by Dame Judi Dench at Regent’s Park. His appearance as Hamlet at The Cochrane Theatre was described as “brilliantly and brutally convincing”[1].
How did the ‘Living History’ project come about?
‘Living History’ came out of a conviction about the power of oral history, such an important part of the cultures of so many parts of the world, but which has largely died out in our own culture. Theatre is a powerful, immediate and direct medium for bringing people closer to and personalising important aspects of our past. We aspire to a genuinely mixed audience, one which inspires lively interaction and debate.
What can you tell us about the plays?
Although set in Nazi Germany and Stalin’s Russia respectively, both plays are ostensibly about moral choices, about challenging and stimulating an audience to step into the shoes of another individual, an exciting and enriching thing for anyone, irrespective of their specific interests.
What made you choose to adapt the two stories for the theatre?
It seemed to me that both individuals involved – the two plays are monologues – are well placed to guide us through the times in an informative but inherently dramatic way. Both are well-informed and erudite, as well as being deeply affected by events and right at the centre of them.
What were the challenges of adapting the stories for the stage?
The main challenge is always to hold on to the character and the drama whilst trying to tell the history correctly and not losing sight of the need to entertain!
What kind of a response have you had to the plays? Did the response to Defying Hitler affect the production of Stalin’s Favourite?
The response has been extremely positive. People need and appreciate powerful stories, simply and honestly told, which engage their imagination and challenge their preconceptions. The overwhelmingly positive response to ‘Defying Hitler’ made me want to write more, but although they are thematically linked, I have deliberately made the plays very different in tone. I don’t have a formula!
What have you personally most enjoyed about adapting and acting in the two productions? Is there anything that has been particularly challenging?
The interaction/dialogue/flaming rows between the performer in me and the former history student (Manchester and Oxford Universities) have been most stimulating. I hope what has emerged in both cases is an entertaining piece that is also enriching, powerful and thought-provoking
How has working with Peter Symonds affected the shows?
Peter Symonds’ help and support have been invaluable. He is a writer himself as well as a director and actor, and I am indebted to him for bringing both characters to life in an extraordinarily detailed, rounded and profound way.
‘Defying Hitler’ and ‘Stalin’s Favourite’ will be playing at The Carriageworks Theatre in Leeds on 24th and 25th January respectively. For tickets visit www.carriageworkstheatre.org.uk
Quote ‘Lippy Offer’ at The Carriageworks Theatre to receive 2-for-1 on tickets for both plays.
For a full list of tour dates visit www.theatreunlimited.org
Image: Theatre Unlimited. Used with permission.
[1] Time Out
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