A lot of events have occured in the past century, but for some reason we continue to examine the Second World War. For many years, we have wondered how so many people could get caught up in the Third Reich movement. Good, Theatre Junction’s latest offering, attempts to find some sort of explanation.
The CP Taylor play follows John Halder and the people in his life. Good chronicles Halder from his time as a university professor to his involvement with the Nazi party.
"It’s a story from 1933-41, and it’s his journey through that time," explains Carmen Davison, who plays Anne, a former student of Halders, who becomes his wife.
As long as we don’t have to deal immediately with the issues, society quietly accepts the rising movement, according to Davison.
Halder is invited by the Nazi party to write a paper, and because of the events occurring in his life at that time, he writes a pro-euthanasia novel. When the party learns of this, they begin asking him to give speeches. Anne also gets involved by supporting Halder as a good nazi wife.
"She is aware of what is going on around her, but the most important thing is Halder and her immediate life around her as opposed to what’s going on outside in the streets and the cities. They have a home in the country and things are really nice."
The set was designed to directly impose images of the period, with appropriate scenery. The authenticity of the costumes is also startling.
"They scare me, if anything," Davidson remarks.
Good reminds us of what happened in Germany and Eastern Europe in the Second World War, but tries to do so with music and comedy.
"It’s got great elements: comedy and the music in it is frighteningly intelligent and well chosen. It’s about what can happen to people and how people’s events directly effects them. You could be shocked and taken aback one minute and then laughing the next minute," Davidson states.
The play deals not only with history, but also with current issues.
"We were all effected by what happened in 1939, and through that period. Whether you’re 70 years old or 17 years old, there is still Remembrance Day every year. I think people need to be reminded of what can happen and how we can get caught up in our own lives and forget about what’s happening around us, and what kind of harm that can do or not do for that matter," Davidson says bluntly.
"This is a play about humanity. About people: ordinary people, everyday people, funny people, pathetic people, interesting people. It’s a play about people’s neighbors, and peoples friends and family."
Good runs Feb. 2-26 at the Dr. Betty Mitchell Theatre.