Overview
Synopsis
In 1930s Berlin, a group of artists celebrate New Year's Eve, 1932 in the home of character actress Agnes Eggling. They are happy, tipsy, and feeling, predominantly, safe. However, as we all know, what follows is the "unbelievable" progression of Hitler's control of Germany. As the country succumbs to the seduction of Nazism they are forced to choose between integrity and survival. Each of the friends deals with the incomprehensible forces of evil eclipsing their country and their lives in his own way. Some take to the streets to stand up as members of the Communist Party, some run away, while others are simply paralyzed by fear. Against this narrative, we also follow the character of Zillah, the ‘here and now’ representative of the 1980s Reagan era in which the play was written. A modern activist, she is determined to take action and fight back against repression and authoritarianism.
Show Information
Characters
Showing 8 of 11 characters
Character Portrayals
See StageAgent members who have performed roles in A Bright Room Called Day.
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Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A political ideology often depicted or explored in 20th-century epic or protest theatre for social critique.
An authoritarian ideology explored in political theatre to critique power, oppression, and historical trauma.
A fascist regime often dramatized to examine themes of extremism, propaganda, genocide, and moral collapse.
The German state before the Nazi rise, depicted in theatre to reflect political instability and artistic innovation.
Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher