Danton's Death, National Theatre | reviews, news & interviews
Danton's Death, National Theatre
Danton's Death, National Theatre
Revolution in under two hours in a new version of Büchner's longest play
Friday, 23 July 2010
One needs to feel that this man is going to explode, not just expostulate: Toby Stephens as DantonJohan Persson
The longest and most densely historical play by Georg Büchner (1813-37) is a potential monster. In German, Dantons Tod can run to four hours or more. There's little action and much speechifying. In plays by his equally wordy, history-obsessed predecessor, Friedrich von Schiller, there are at least fights, battles, a lot of love - and some sex.
The longest and most densely historical play by Georg Büchner (1813-37) is a potential monster. In German, Dantons Tod can run to four hours or more. There's little action and much speechifying. In plays by his equally wordy, history-obsessed predecessor, Friedrich von Schiller, there are at least fights, battles, a lot of love - and some sex.
Explore topics
Share this article
The future of Arts Journalism
You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!
We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d
And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.
Subscribe to theartsdesk.com
Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.
To take a subscription now simply click here.
And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?
more Theatre
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, Donmar Warehouse review - a blazingly original musical flashes into the West End
War and Peace - but not as you know it
The Invention of Love, Hampstead Theatre review - beautiful wit, awkward staging
Tom Stoppard’s classic evocation of Victorian golden age Oxford stars Simon Russell Beale
Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, New Adventures, Sadler's Wells review - 30 years on, as bold and brilliant as ever
A masterly reinvention has become a classic itself
The Little Foxes, Young Vic review - timeshifted production blurs the play's focus
Lillian Hellman’s family feud set in 1900 Alabama doesn’t survive a confused updating
The Legends of Them, Royal Court review - reaching out for serenity
Gig theatre piece about the pain and redemption of a pioneer reggae artist
The Producers, Menier Chocolate Factory review - liberating taboo-busting fun for grown-ups
Director Patrick Marber does Mel Brooks's musical proud
A Midsummer Night's Dream, RSC, Barbican review - visually ravishing with an undercurrent of violence
This psychedelic mashup conveys a sci-fi-style alternate reality
The Devil Wears Prada, Dominion Theatre review - efficient but rarely inspired
Relaunch of Elton John musical needs further tinkering still
Hansel and Gretel, Shakespeare's Globe review - too saccharine a retelling for our times
Songs and sweeties, but insufficient sourness and sadism for fans of fairytales
The Importance of Being Earnest, National Theatre review - no shortage of acid-tipped delight
Oscar Wilde speaks just as strongly to the 21st century as he did to his own
Twelfth Night, Orange Tree Theatre review - perfectly pitched sad and merry musical mayhem
Shakespeare's comedy of identity confusion benefits from a 1940s setting
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, The Other Palace - all Greek to me
Myths and monsters make for a curiously bland and bloodless musical
Add comment