Albert Speer - The Mysteries Of Hitler’s Architect

MEDIA RELEASE
12/09/04
For Immediate Release
Attn: Arts Editor/Reporter

The Mysteries Of Hitler’s Architect

New Zealand Premiere at Bats Theatre 1st – 16th October

“In the passion to create something out of myself, was I
too made creative only by Hitler?” – Albert Speer

Albert Speer is a finely crafted epic play that explores the relationship between personal stories and history – and is having its New Zealand premiere at Bats Theatre from the 1st of October. David Edgar, one of Britain’s leading playwrights wrote Albert Speer for the National Theatre in London – and was premiered in 2000 as an acclaimed production.

This must see play is based on Albert Speer: His Battle with Truth by Gitta Sereny, a best-selling biography that delves deeply into some of the greatest mysteries of the Nazi period. How did Speer, a highly intelligent, talented young architect become such close friends with Hitler, and how could he claim at the Nuremberg trials that he knew nothing about the massacre of the Jews? The play is both a fantastic story and a deep examination of the human psyche.

Albert Speer ricochets through fifty years of history, from the Nuremberg rallies to the Nuremberg trials, from Berlin to the Ukraine, from the bleakness of Spandau Prison to the glamour of post-war publishers’ parties.

Director David O’Donnell (nominated as best director at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards for The Sojourns of Boy (1999) and Irish Annals of Aotearoa (2001)) is staging Albert Speer in epic fashion. Paul McLaughlin (recently seen at Circa starring in Speed the Plough and Cloud Nine) plays Speer with one of the largest and most impressive ensembles to be seen in Wellington for some time, including Bill Walker as Hitler. Their dynamic presence co-ordinated with the thrilling design of Martyn Roberts will present a refreshing twist to the apocalyptic imagery of World War II and its aftermath.

Performances: 1st – 16th October 7.30pm, Sunday shows 6pm,
2pm matinee on Saturday the 9th (no shows Mondays).
Bookings at Bats ph: 80 24175

For further information contact the Albert Speer publicist: fingalpollockREMOVETHISBIT@hotmail.com

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