Danton's Death

by Georg Büchner
in a new version by Howard Brenton

FIVE STARS Sunday Telegraph

FOUR STARS 'Thrilling production...Toby Stephens is in splendid form.' Daily Telegraph

FOUR STARS 'A glorious and bloody revolution. A credit to Britain's National Theatre' Sunday Times

1794: the French Revolution reaches its climax. After a series of bloody purges the life-loving, volatile Danton is tormented by his part in the killing. His political rival, the driven, ascetic Robespierre, decides Danton's fate. A titanic struggle begins. Once friends who wanted to change the world, now one stands for compromise the other for ideological purity as the guillotine awaits.

Why should an event that transforms the whole of humanity not advance through blood?

A revolutionary himself, George Büchner was 21 when he wrote the play in 1835, while hiding from the police. With its hair-raising on-rush of scenes and vivid dramatisation of complex, visionary characters, Danton's Death has a claim to be the greatest political tragedy ever written. Howard Brenton captures Büchner's exhilarating energy as Danton struggles to avoid his inexorable fall.

This is your rhetoric translated. These wretches, these executioners, the guillotine are your speeches come to life. You have built your doctrines out of human heads.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• national
• theatre
• Toby
• stephens
• Elliot
• Levey
• south
• bank
• stage
• actors
• actresses
• theatrical

[lavrans4ever]

Bravissimo, Mr Stephens!

[nikita38a]

Oh My god!!!! Thank you very much. Toby Stephens is the best!!!!!!!

[Contextcatcher]

ACTUAL

"Revolution calls my name. I will soon dwell in nothingness, and my name will be in the Pantheon of history"

(1813-1837) Georg Büchner, died at an age more than 23. His work is still performed each year...He is one of the great German writers: he was ahead of his time. His small oeuvre is extremely valuable. Shakespeare influenced him deeply. At an young age he had a sharp vision about insanity....

"The world is chaos. Nothingness is the yet-to-be-born god of the world".

[GermanOne71]

He is unbelievable!!! Only two nights more on stage!!

[nikita38a]

Thank you so much!!!!! They're amazing!!!! :-)

[mobo241]

Toby is great! I would like to see this play.

[annie2shoes]

This was AMAZING!! We sat near the front and could see his sweat and passion at close quarters!

[sheelz321]

Am waiting with baited breath to see this wonderful production with the spectacular Toby Stephens in the eponymous role of Danton

[Operaghost74]

Can't wait to see this.

[oracleofaltoona]

I'd like to comment on this vid. But all I can say is Gaaaaah drool.Toby Stephens is truly magnificent.