The Second World War is just around the corner, along with the horrors and atrocities committed by the Nazi Party during this time. The year is 1931 and with the shadow of the infamous struggle just on the horizon we are introduced to the well known composer Richard Strauss. With a worthwhile artistic idea in the pipeline he teams up with the writer Stefan Zweig to realise and bring to fruition their goals. The problem lies with the aforementioned shadow, for Zweig is Jewish and Hitler’s army may have the final say in his fate.
This is Collaboration, the second of two dramas to be showcased at the Duchess Theatre in London. The first is Taking Sides and both are written by the acclaimed writer Ronald Harwood and deal with art and politics colliding in and around the Second World War. Where Taking Sides brings us a conductor with supposed ties to the Nazi regime, Collaboration focuses on the fear and the horrors faced by those in Germany beforehand. Stepping into the role of Richard Strauss is the acclaimed actor Michael Pennington with Stefan Zweig inhabited by David Horovitch. These two actors are also responsible for tying this production with its sister by appearing in both plays in leading roles.
Pennington is best known for appearing in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi in which he played Moff Jerjerrod. He has also appeared onstage in the Royal Shakespeare Company and the English Shakespeare Company. Horovitch has had many television roles and stage experience appearing onscreen in the likes of Miss Marple (as Inspector Slack), Casualty, Foyle’s War, Drop the Dead Donkey and Peak Practice. For the stage his work includes Forty Years On, Mary Stuart, Absurd Person Singular and The Importance of Being Earnest.
Then there is Ronald Harwood; a successful writer who has written some critically acclaimed plays and movies, including writing both Taking Sides and Collaboration as well as adapting Taking Sides for the screen (starring Harvey Keitel and Stellan Skarsgård). His plays include Mahler’s Conversation and The Dresser and his other movie credits include Being Julia, The Pianist and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. He is the recipient of both Academy Awards and BAFTAs.
Collaboration is at the Duchess Theatre from Friday 22nd May 2009 to Saturday 29th August 2009.