The Memorandum
by Vaclav Havel toured Scotland in 2006 .
Havel is one of the twentieth century's leading playwrights. Long associated
with the intellectual opposition to Stalinism in (the then) Czechoslovakia,
to the extent of being imprisoned for his beliefs, he went on to be President
of the Independent Czech Republic. THE MEMORANDUM is his masterpiece.
A highly comic and rhythmic satire on bureaucracy and the power games which
go on in the office, and, by extension, the state, the play exemplifies
Havel’s own assertion that the theatre is always about politics. That
is not to say political in the sense of supporting this or that ideology,
but that it is concerned with examining the way in which human beings relate
to each other by power, or the lack of it.
Although written in reaction to the times and conditions he was living under, the play remains as relevant as ever. In present day Britain, where we are arguably living in an era of increasing “spin” , and ever more complex bureaucracy and “red tape”, with the resultant growing mistrust of politicians, the allegory of the play hits home. In THE MEMORANDUM, Havel’s insight into communication theory gives rise to a deadly (and often hilarious) probing of the power structure of a society based on the interpretation of incomprehensible but sacred texts. New men come to power by imposing the use of a new language only they can manipulate and understand.
The play in Communicado’s hands becomes a hilarious but terrifying nightmare performed at breakneck speed and follows in the tradition of our productions of plays from Eastern Europe such as Nicolai Erdman’s THE SUICIDE and Pavel Kohout’s FIRE IN THE BASEMENT.
Reviews of THE MEMORANDUM, by Vaclav Havel:
"A stylish and assured production...considered, skilful performances. The comedy is well played - good timing and physicality, without overpowering an intelligent text which explores deep issues of power, language and control...wonderful moments of surrealism and great humour. Paul Morrow and Graham Crammond as the scheming deputy and his silent side kick are a masterful comic partnership." EdinburghGuide.com, February, 2006.
“Director Gerda Stevenson allows her cast to have some serious fun.”
The Herald, February, 2006.
“Richer than a gag about bureaucracy and language – the further we get into Havel's world of office politics, buck-passing and sackings, the deeper it resonates with us. Stevenson makes it clear that the victor is neither the level-headed Gross, nor his callous rival Ballas, but the system itself.” The Guardian, February, 2006.