“The power of this script is also in the parallels with modern day right-wing discourse. My blood chilled at the parallels to modern day“
Con Nats
4 Stars Of David
One of the most daunting writing tasks is to try and understand the workings of an evil character, such as a Nazi. C P Taylor has taken up the challenge with Good, another National London Theatre production starring David Tennant.
Tennant plays Halder, a German intellectual, who thinks the new party has good ideas but their racial views make him and Maurice (Elliot Levy) his Jewish friend, uncomfortable. (Maurice is already calling them Cs.)
Tennant is dealing with a mother (Sharon Small) who is going blind and a wife who is lovely, loving but lazy. She can’t cook or look after herself. She has no spirit. And the young student with nationalistic ideals is the Germany he is attracted to. (These characters are subtle metaphors for old and new Germany.)
As high ranking party officials warm to his theories of euthanising the old and infirm, he is seduced into the party and his ideals melt. He soon talks about trading his courage for cowardice in a pivotal talk to the audience. You almost feel his discomfort, but don’t accept it.
There is a short clip after intermission which profiles Taylor and it helps us understand the structure. There are so many scenes which are short and sharp. It’s faster than a TV show. The two support actors: Levey and Small are amazing at how quickly they adapt and change character within seconds. The pace is frenetic and gives it great energy inside a simple, yet surprising set.
Being a Russian refugee who grew up in Glasgow, Taylor keeps the accents and language very Scottish and English. It’s a good way to suck you in. Using Tennant in the lead is another way. He has the innocence to engender trust, but there is constant feeling of dread. And when he dons the full suit, your guts turn into knots. This transition is an exceptional performance.
The power of this script is also in the parallels with modern day right-wing discourse. My blood chilled at the parallels to modern day: ordinary people talking about the dangers of Marxism, minorities and certain books as well as defending bigotry. This script was first performed in 1981. It’s the language and actions of right-wingers today.
I have always wondered how the good people of Germany fell for their Fuhrer. After watching this play, I can see how. I also fear how many are still blindly trading in their courage for cowardice today.
Con Nats, On The Screen
