Ronald Harwood's TAKING SIDES, directed by Atul Kumar is a production of The Company Theatre (TCT). The plot is set in the period following Hitler's downfall when the allied armies carried out the de-Nazification process and tribunals were established to look into potential Nazi collaborators. The investigation of acclaimed German Music Conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler-played by actor Atul Kumar-becomes the center of the narrative. Army officer Major Steve Arnold (played by Sukant Goel) vigorously questions whether Furtwangler, also regarded as "Hitler's favorite Conductor" supported the Nazi dictatorship.
Arnold questions why did Furtwangler not flee the country like other German artists. Why did he continue to create music, play at state functions, and accept official positions?
Furtwangler states staying in Germany and refusing to support the Nazis meant "to walk a tightrope between exile and the gallows". He also states that art for him was above politics, and he never joined the Nazi party. To which Arnold responds by saying, but if the Nazis had won -- would you have then tried to slip out to some safe haven?
The plot constantly questions an artist's dilemma over political stance. The piece revolves around characters dealing with introspection, and questions about their morality and ethics. The story avoids being preachy, it shows both sides of the coin and doesn't intend on giving any solutions. It rather leaves you to introspect. The audience too starts thinking along the same lines and tries to pick a side. It, therefore, forces one to wrestle with thought-provoking questions in order to choose a side. Written in 1995, the play still feels relevant today. People are afraid to speak up or question the wrong! Whereas, Artists who are vocal about their opinion which doesn't necessarily be in accordance with the majority opinion, are put behind bars.
The outstanding cast puts on a compelling performance. The audience is split into two sides, between which the performance is held. Characters Furtwangler, Tamara Sachs, and Helmuth Rode can only be seen through their side profile in all their scenes. The intensity of the environment that the play creates is increased by using a projector to display some spine-chilling photos of the lost human life and the devastation that occurred during World War 2. The lighting is simple yet dramatic and works really well giving a tinge of minimalism and intensity when needed. However, one drawback of having the audience split into two sections is that each side misses' various parts of the characters Emmy and David, who have turned their back towards the audience from each side. All in all, it is a play with powerful actors portraying powerful characters and delivering a message that's relevant in today's time and day.
*Parul Rana is a theatre enthusiast and movie buff.
