LEBENSRAUM

There is always a price to pay for the sins of the fathers, in Germany, overt displays of nationalism, such as flying the national flag on your car, would lead to arrest. A dark past has turned the previously innocent into forbidden territory.

And so it is with the word LEBENSRAUM (Living Space). The German Geographer Friedrich Ratzel, in the later part of the 19th century, developed a theory that the development of all species, including humans, is primarily determined by their adaptation to geographic circumstances. He considered species migration as the crucial factor in social adaptation and cultural change. The theory developed philosophical followers – there was a rebellion against the industrial revolution – a belief that virtue lay in farming and its associated lifestyle.

Unfortunately, during the late 1920s, Adolf Hitler and complicit historians, including Theodor Schieder, twisted the concept to justify taking over land to the east - Poland and Russia, allowing the Fatherland (and the German people) to expand, as was their right as the Master Race. It became a central plan of MEIN KAMPF and LEBENSRAUM eventually became too dark to mention.

Until the celebrated American playwright, Israel Horovitz decided to write a play based on the premise that a German Chancellor, as an act of redemption, invites 6 million Jews, from anywhere in the world, to move to Germany, where jobs, citizenship and space would be made available to them. The irony of the title is profound.

LEBENSRAUM  is on at His Majesty’s – Downstairs at the Maj – until Wednesday 31^st March. Directed and designed by Lawrie Cullen-Tait, with Sue Fenty as Stage Manager and Mat Cheetham on Sound (I assume Maj stalwart Ian Studham on lighting), Vivienne Garrett, Brendan Hanson and Craig Williams take on in excess of 40 roles between the three of them.

This is wonderful theatre, superbly acted and a pleasure to see gripping theatre without multimedia slide shows and hydraulic stages tilting every which way. Almost circus-clown like at the start – suitcases, props and a wonderful vaudeville takes by Vivienne Garrett, the story gradually, insidiously almost, becomes frighteningly serious, forcing all of us to face our prejudices and preconceptions. All three actors are incredibly strong, with just a couple of hesitant lines – who wouldn’t changing characters three times in as many minutes, but mention must be made of Craig Williams – perhaps it was the poignancy of the old man back in Berlin, whatever, there was a stunning moment of long-past suffering, from a motionless, mute actor, just superb.

LEBENSRAUM, just like the Nazis, creeps up on you and before you know it, it has you in its grip. Don’t miss it.