Book cover for The Arsonists by Alistair Beaton and Max Frisch
2014 Released
96 Pages
0-1 Hours
Ebook Unavailable
Audiobook Unavailable
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Methuen DramaISBN 9781408141540

Fires are becoming something of a problem. But Biedermann has it all under control. He's a respected member of the community with a loving wife and a flourishing business, so surely nothing can get to him. The great philanthropist is happy to meet his civic duty by giving shelter to two new guests but when they start filling his attic with petrol drums, will he help them light the fuse?


Max Frisch's parable about appeasement is given its first major UK revival since its Royal Court premiere in 1961, which was directed by Lindsay Anderson.


The play is published as a programme text for the production that runs from 1 November - 15 December on the main stage at the Royal Court.

Alistair Beaton

Alistair Beaton's plays include Feelgood (West End) and Follow My Leader (Birmingham). He translated and dramatised Gogol's The Nose for Martin Duncan at Nottingham Playhouse. He has recently published a novel, A Planet for the President.

More by Alistair Beaton

Max Frisch

Max Frisch, born in Zurich in 1911, was one of the giants of twentieth-century literature, achieving fame as a novelist, playwright, diarist, and essayist. He died in 1991, the year Homo Faber was made by Volker Schlondorff into the acclaimed motion picture Voyager, starring Sam Shepard.

More by Max Frisch

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