About performance

“The play by the angry forty-something Marius Mayenburg bears the sign – positively speaking, of a political play. Its currency is greater today than it was at the time the play emerged, as it has been multiplied by the refugee crisis and the explosive rise of neo-Nazi extremism particularly in the countries with no refugees (guess which ones). (Divadelní noviny)

The student Benjamín has fully immersed himself in the study of the Bible. From that point he starts to understand the words of Jesus verbatim, even in a distorted sense. His faith turns into fanaticism that affects and attack his context. His fellow students, teachers and even his mother have no idea what is going on with – and even within – Benjamin. They are unable to foresee the consequences once the situation becomes exacerbated. Demagoguery, unkindness under the veil of faith can affect the life at the school and penetrate all relationships – not merely those of Benjamin. How is the school and the family itself prepared to respond to the fundamentalist ideology and conduct? The powerless single mother relies on teachers for the upbringing.

The director doesn’t want to have any problems. A biology teacher appears, someone who never gives up when comes to the truth. Yet who comes out of the duel as the greater fanatic? What to do when one´s liberty starts to limit that of the group? How to tell the difference between tolerance and ignorance that derives from inability to assume responsibility? Today religious fundamentalism can be manifested in different ways. What is a West European adolescent fell for Chritisan fanaticism? Through the Martyr the German playwright Marius von Mayenburg explores a range of answers.

Running time 2 hours with interval.

With English subtitles.

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