NBB-8

I was in a production of this in college. I had a very minor, non-speaking role - and it's still the one play I want to go back and do again! Even to play the same non-speaking character.

There was a professor on campus who had seen 13 productions of this play, including the original German production and the legendary English-language production by Peter Brook.

He said ours was one of the best he'd seen - easily in his Top 3. I can't honestly provide any kind of objective critique of this play - it has too many wonderful memories for me! ( )

Sein neues Theaterstück, das sich eng an historische Fakten hält, auf authentisches Material sich gründet und doch von einem historischen Stück so weit wie nur irgend möglich entfernt ist. Leben und Tod Jean Paul Marats werden als Spiel im Spiel, als Theater im Theater, dreizehn Jahre nach seinem Tode im Irrenhaus von Charenton dargestellt. Regie führt der Marquis de Sade.

“We're all free and equal to die like dogs”

Every death even the cruelest death
drowns in the total indifference of Nature
Nature herself would watch unmoved
if we destroyed the entire human race
I hate Nature
this passionless spectator this unbreakable iceberg-face
that can bear everything
this goads us to greater and greater acts

Once and for all
the idea of glorious victories
won by the glorious army
must be wiped out
Neither side is glorious
On either side they're just frightened men messing their pants
and they all want the same thing
Not to lie under the earth
but to walk upon it
without crutches.
( )

Does what a play should do--asks political questions in an unforgettable context. I saw a college production, and it was transforming. This version came with the RSC LP recording, which I no longer have. Includes Richard Peaslee's tunes for the songs at the back of the book. ( )