Wallenstein

Synopsis

Albrecht von Wallenstein, Duke of Friedland, Supreme Commander of the Habsburg armies, champion and saviour of the Holy Roman Empire, stands undefeated in a seemingly endless war of religion. A victim of his own military success, Wallenstein believes he is the only commander who can bring peace to the Empire. In the field, Wallenstein inspires fanatical loyalty in his troops. At court, politicians, jealous of his victories, howl for his dismissal and plot against his life. Four wintry days of terrible events, conspiracy, divided loyalty and betrayal culminate in one night of violent score settling. Wallenstein’s struggle is played out on a vast European stage, but the heart of the tragedy is private and domestic: wives, children, lovers and friends must bear the heaviest burden of suffering. Schiller’s skill in balancing the epic with the human make him arguably Europe’s greatest playwright.

Our Review:

1 June 2009

For years, Schiller has been box office poison in the UK.  It’s hard to see why, as he’s a superb dramatist whose plays mix big political themes with personal dramas - even if the verse can veer to the bombastic .

But no one can have any such complaints about Mike Poulton’s taut adaptation for Chichester. This is Schiller brought thrillingly to life and Angus Jackson’s production is gripping throughout.

There are moments of incomprehension – almost inevitable when 11 hours of text is crammed into two and a half hours and when much of the play’s actions focuses on unknown characters fighting scarce-remembered battles. It’s fair to say that most British audiences will have a sketchy knowledge of the 30 Years War and it can be hard to keep track of everything that’s going on.

At the heart of the play, Iain Glen is a powerful presence as a rather world-weary and troubled Wallenstein.&nb...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

Katie Ryan - 6 June 2009:

I saw this Press Night and then again the following day at the matinee. I found it a fascinating study of the corruption that too often accompanies power. Or in this case even the 'promise' of power to the betrayer Octavio. Or the fear of power that pervades those at court who are bending the Emperor's ear. Wallenstein inspires his armies to win & is met with distrust & even removal from his position previous to the action of the play. He has been brought back because without him the generals were losing badly. Those at court can't have someone who inspires such fanatic loyalty among the people. His real power could supersede their own & he could actually throw over their power or even the throne. They project their own hunger & greed onto, at least until this point, their savior. Very early on you realize that Wallenstein cannot win whatever he does. He is a doomed man. Naive he may be, but stupid he most decidedly is not. We watch him agonize to make the best choice of many bad ones he is offered. Follow the Emperor & he will lose his command & most likely his life if the politicians have their way. He has already been denied the kingdom of Bohemia he was promised. Betray the cause he has fought so zealously for & be branded a traitor & lose those he holds most dear. Or make a try for peace with a treasonous alliance. Iain Glen captures a man caught in complete conflict. He perfectly portrays the anger, the frustration, the utter conflict & also the pathos of a man in an impossible situation. He rages & blusters & with only those closest to him, quietly cries in despair. Not for himself but the futility & cost of war. Schiller's complex 10 hour marathon of three plays distilled into two & a half hours by Mike Poulton is amazingly prescient & applicable to today's world. He has managed to keep the lyrical almost Shakespearean prose. It's a confusing conflict(the Thirty Years War.) The program has a time line of events that helped immeasurably. This is a masterclass in acting. There is not a weak link among the players but a few stand out. I've already spoken of Iain Glen's powerful performance; but there's also Anthony Calf's duplicitous Octavio; Charlotte Emmerson's scheming sister-in-law; & Max Irons' Max is proof positive the actor -er apple didn't fall far from the tree. If you love your history lyrical & complex & like strong believable characters portrayed by excellent actors, get down to Chichester. It only plays until June 13th. I promise you will not regret it. ...

Read more and add your own review