| The Fire Raisers | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Max Frisch |
| Date premiered | 1958 |
| Original language | German |
| Genre | Epic parable comedy |
The Fire Raisers (German: Biedermann und die Brandstifter), also known in English as Firebugs or The Firebugs, was written by Max Frisch in 1953, first as a radio play, then adapted for television and the stage (1958).[1]
This dark comedy is set in a town that is being regularly attacked by arsonists. Disguised as hawkers, they talk their way into people's homes and settle down in the attic, where they set about the destruction of the house. Written in the years following World War II, as a metaphor for Nazism and fascism, the play shows how "normal" citizens can be taken in by evil.[2]
The central character, a businessman called Biedermann, is seen at the outset reading newspaper reports of arson, convinced that he could never be taken in. Within minutes, the first "hawker" has appeared (Schmitz), and through a combination of intimidation and persuasion he talks his way into spending the night in the attic. As the play unfolds, a second arsonist appears (Eisenring), and before Biedermann can do anything to stop it, his attic is piled high with oil drums full of petrol. He even helps them to measure the detonating fuse and gives them matches, refusing to believe the full horror of what is happening. He soon becomes an accomplice in his own downfall.
The action is observed by a Greek-style chorus of "firemen", and the increasingly surreal flavour culminates in a final scene when Biedermann and his wife Babette find themselves at the gates of hell. Here they once again meet Schmitz and Eisenring who turn out to be Beelzebub and the Devil respectively.
The name Biedermann is itself a play on the German word "bieder" meaning conventional, conservative, worthy, upright and is frequently used in a pejorative or ironic context. Thus the name equates to der biedere Mann or the worthy man.
A new translation of the play by Alistair Beaton entitled The Arsonists was produced at London's Royal Court Theatre in November 2007, under direction of Ramin Gray. This was the first major revival of the play in the United Kingdom since its premiere on 1961, also at the Royal Court.