Alana’s Score: 3 Stars
The destruction that Hitler wrought over most of the world during his reign was absolutely horrifying. Amazingly, Paris was on the list of cities to be destroyed, and it well could have been were it not for the cunning, strategic, quick-thinking wits of a Swedish diplomat in the dusky early hours before the intended attack.
Cyril Gély’s Diplomacy (in a translation and adaptation by Julie Rose) depicts a fictionalised version of the conversation that took place between diplomat Raoul Nordling and German General Dietrich von Choltitz as they negotiate the future of the city of love. It’s an engrossing battle of wits and words, and although we know the ultimate outcome (after all, Paris still stands) it’s fascinating to think how the conclusion came about.
John Bell plays the formidable von Choltitz, and is joined by probably the only man who could pull focus from him, John Gaden. Bell is stalwart and stoic, if a little lacking in energy and intensity, but is compelling nonetheless. As Nordling, Gaden is the image of master manipulator, subtly and seamlessly changing tactics and dancing rings around his component. The two have a wonderful rapport, but the overall sense of danger is lacking. The stakes are almost non-existent, which results in an unfortunate lack of tension.
Three other characters flit in and out, and while they don’t do or say much, each makes the most of their role. Joseph Raggart is the perfect evocation of a wide-eyed Nazi youth (hello, Rolf from The Sound of Music), Genevieve Lemon as Frau Myer blusters in and out, and James Lugton makes an impression as the architect of the orchestrated explosion.
This production is also directed by Bell, with an interesting and thought-provoking monochrome set from Michael Scott-Mitchell and appropriate soundscapes from Nate Edmonson. Genevieve Graham’s costumes are impressively detailed.
Diplomacy is a fascinating insight into perhaps a little-known sliver of history that had a much bigger impact that we realised. It is mind-blowing now to think that Paris as we know it might have been decimated in a handful of hours one grey morning in 1944, were it not for a conversation between two men on opposite sides of the battle.
Go for a history lesson, stay for John Gaden’s performance.
Playing at Ensemble Theatre until 14th July.
Alana Kaye – Theatre Now
Diplomacy
By Cyril Gély
Translated and Adapted by Julie Rose
21 Jun – 14 Jul 2019
Venue: Ensemble Theatre
Theatre Company: Ensemble Theatre
Duration: Aprox 70 min (no interval)
Returning to the Ensemble Theatre stage after the unprecedented success of our sold out 2018 season, theatre legends John Bell and John Gaden reprise their roles in this unmissable production.
In 1944 at the Hôtel Meurice, the Swedish diplomat Raoul Nordling and the German General, Dietrich von Choltitz meet in a life and death situation for the city of Paris.
On abandoning Paris, Hitler has ordered its destruction. Raoul has one night to persuade the General to leave the landmark city standing. The many twists and turns of their negotiations play out in this highly entertaining thriller by Cyril Gély.
Ticket Prices
