Nathan the Wise

Synopsis

Set in Jerusalem at the time of the Third Crusade, Jews, Muslims and Christians struggle to live together. It is up to Nathan, respected for his wisdom and his wealth, to secure the peace. In a world where racism, discrimination and extremism continue to blight the lives of millions, the challenge of Nathan's appeal that 'We must be friends!' still has to be met.".

Our Review:

2 May 2003

Gotthold Lessing’s Nathan the Wise (in an elegant version by Edward Kemp), is an extraordinarily powerful and moving piece of theatre. Written 250 years ago and set in the latter part of the 12th Century, the play questions the basis of our faith, religious identity and, above all, calls for religious tolerance. Under the Chichester’s ‘new management’ and Steven Pimlott’s sensitive direction, it is a brave and thoroughly worthwhile enterprise.

Lessing, a true visionary of the European Enlightenment, witnessed the treatment of Jews by fellow Germans in his own town and sought to address this in a thinly veiled allegory of religious intolerance set six centuries earlier. Indeed, so unpalatable was the message to the Nazis, that the play was banned during their era.

Set during the period of the Crusades when the great Sultan, Saladin, controlled Jerusalem a group of Muslims, Jews, and Christians in the war torn city discover the innate goodness of ...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com (62.143.53.213) - 12 August 2003:

This is a must-see indeed! A deeply moving story of humanity, brought to life with a perfect cast. Especially as a counterbalance to The Merchant Of Venice, staging this drama was very good choice. ...

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