Theatre / bovts
Mephisto: BOVTS lead an immersive journey through the tunnels of Loco Klub
When the exiled German writer Klaus Mann published his 1936 novel Mephisto, he stoked controversy for its barely veiled portrayal of his brother-in-law, the actor Gustaf Gründgens’ story.
Once a passionate communist, Gründgens abandoned his early political allegiances and decided to remain in Germany during the Nazi regime.
The extent to which he sympathised with Hitler is disputed; however, he did rise to fame during this period, becoming the artistic director of the Prussian State Theatre and participating in Nazi propaganda films.
is needed now More than ever
Mann’s novel was banned for 50 years by the Gründgen family, who accused him of defamation.
In a new adaptation Bristol Old Vic Theatre School will be giving a promenade performance of the story, taking audiences through the underground tunnels of the Loco Klub in the process.
It’s a story of “ambition, compromise and the seductive power of fame”, producers say.
“As one actor faces an ultimate choice, we witness how quickly principles can be abandoned when opportunity – or the devil – comes knocking.”
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Mephisto (age recommendation 14+) is at Loco Klub on June 28-July 5; times vary. For more information and tickets, visit www.oldvic.ac.uk.
Main photo: BOVTS
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