Taking Sides
By Ronald Harwood
The Playhouse
14 - 17 January 2004 |
By Victoria Roddam This challenging yet thoughtful and accessible play from the author of The Pianist is a must-see. Set in Berlin during the tense period shortly after the Second World War, Taking Sides recounts the attempts of the US Major Steve Arnold to uncover the full degree of collaboration and collusion by Wilhelm Furtwangler (the legendary conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic) with the Nazi regime. As the play unfolds, the borders between truth and personal interpretation become increasingly blurred, as we begin to question whose truth can, or should prevail, and are forced to look closely at the complex relationship between art and political reality. Neil Pearson (Drop the Dead Donkey; Bridget Jones' Diary) turns in a virtuoso, gut-busting performance as the ebullient yet deeply traumatised Arnold, while acclaimed stage and screen actor Julian Glover delivers a tautly passionate rendition of the troubled Furtwangler. Solid support comes from fellow cast-members Ruth Grey, Tom Harper, John McEnery and Tanya Ronder, while director Deborah Bruce balances moments of levity and deep despair with an assured touch. As an intriguing mixture of badinage and profound human emotion, this is not only a moving depiction of post-war realities, but also a testament to the enduringly difficult conundrums posed by matters of artistic integrity, truth and self-sacrifice. | 
