The Arsonists

The Arsonists by Max Frisch is a strange choice of play for a theatre with a no-smoke policy however well thought-out direction and a strong cast made this show thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking. The plot follows a middle class man, Biedermann (Joseph Popplewell), who unwittingly plays host to two arsonists (Tom Hardy and Daniel Gibbons) in his attic. Despite being told several times throughout the play by the arsonists themselves Biedermann fails to believe that his two guests mean any real harm and ultimately puts the lives of his family in danger when his house is inevitably burned to the ground in the tense climax of the play.

The audience responded well to the opening scene. Biedermann’s character was quickly established as a naïve and slightly self-important businessman; his wife, a stereotype of a paranoid housewife; the arsonists, full of playful mischievousness that set the audience guessing from the very beginning. The set was wonderfully designed, with two simple rooms on the ground where most of the scenes played out and the use of an upper level as an attic for some more intimate scenes, which also allowed for background movement to happen without distracting from the main scenes downstairs.

Delivery of lines was quick and unfaltering from the cast. Gemma Whitham particularly shone as she interchangeably played the role of the sardonic household maid and a member of the chorus. Popplewell’s bumbling buffoonery as Biedermann leant itself well to the more comic moments, particularly when he responds to a question from his wife with “Darling, I’m trying to have a conversation with the Chorus.” Hardy and Gibbons provided most of the plays comedy however, almost clowning as they fought to persuade Biedermann to keep entertaining them in his house despite giving him no pretences as to their final intention of burning it to the ground.

At times the play was a little slow. Long moments of dialogue sometimes dragged on through lack of movement on stage from the protagonists, however the juxtaposition of the excellently choreographed chorus provided refreshing relief from these infrequent moments of tedium. The chorus itself was a highlight, creating an eerie backdrop to every scene and maintaining the strange mystery surrounding the arsonists. Their matter-of-fact delivery of lines held the slightly cutting edge of those who are long-suffering at a thankless task. The use of fake cigarettes was an unfortunate necessity, which sometimes took away from the reality of a scene, particularly when noisily dropped on the floor or tapped on an ashtray.

However in stark contrast the fire-scene at the end of the play was the result of some fabulous directory choices: the atmospheric mood lighting and cacophony of sound affects (in particular the heart-wrenching screams of the chorus) creating a real sense of panic and fear. The on-stage characters too reacted with touching terror, which made the final scene all the more poignant. Overall, a very well put-together performance.

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