Ronald Harwood’s two plays, companion pieces linked with a theme of musical genius and collusion with the Nazis, provide intelligent writing combining moral debate with great entertainment.
Starting in 1931, Collaboration depicts the friendship between composer Richard Strauss and Jewish writer Stefan Zweig as they collaborate on writing an opera.
The humorous mood of the opening scenes changes and an air of menace descends after the introduction of anti-Semitic laws when he refuses to stop working with his Jewish creative partner.
Taking Sides looks at those who willingly collaborated with the Nazis through the interrogation of renowned conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler by Major Arnold. His bullying methods are not far removed from those of the Nazis and herald McCarthyism.
Director, Philip Franks, extracts fine performances from his leading actors. Michael Pennington’s Strauss, naïve un-worldly, is beautifully contrasted with his aloof and imperious Furtwangler. He is magnificent in the conductor’s emotional collapse.
Similarly, David Horovitch’s two roles offer contrasting characterisations – the shy, neurotic Zweigg, and the coarse ruthlessness of Arnold.
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