A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

Good: A Tragedy

Full-Length Play, Drama

C.P. Taylor

Professor John Halder is a 'good' man. But 'good' men must adapt to survive.

As the world faces its Second World War, Halder finds himself pulled into a movement with unthinkable consequences.

  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior, Teen (Age 14 - 18)

Details

Summary

Good is a story about a liberal-minded university professor who drifts well-meaningly into a position in the upper reaches of the Nazi administration. John Halder, a professor of literature, seems to be a good man; he diligently visits his blind and senile mother and looks after his vacant wife and three children. He is unremarkable, other than an unusual neurotic tic: the imaginary sound of band music plays in the background of his life, particularly at moments of high emotion.

But by writing a book - the result of his own experience - discussing euthanasia for senile elderly people and by lecturing on the delicacy of German literary culture, John has unintentionally made himself a very desirable acquisition for the Nazi party. A profound and alarming examination of passivity and the rationalisation of evil.

History
Good was first performed at the RSC Warehouse, London, on 2 September 1981.
HALDER
SISTER
MOTHER
DOCTOR
MAURICE
HELEN
BOULLER
ANNE
FREDDIE
HITLER
BOK
ELISABETH
DESPATCH RIDER
EICHMANN
  • Time Period 1940s / WWII
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“This stark play is an important rather than an enjoyable watch.” — Evening Standard

“Quietly terrifying.” — Financial Times

“CP Taylor’s play about a professor embracing nazism is fascinating psychological theatre with the feel of a fever dream.” — The Guardian

“The script [...] leaves its audience reeling and questioning just how clear cut the line is between good and evil.” — Theatre Weekly

“It still has the power to chill you to the bone.” — TimeOut

“Brilliant” — The Jewish Chronicle

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

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Authors

Author

C.P. Taylor

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