Following a sold out 2018 season, theatre legends John Bell and John Gaden are heading to Penrith to reprise their roles in Cyril Gely's high-stakes WWII thriller, Diplomacy, showing on August 2 and 3.
The story begins in Paris, August 25, 1944 in a suite in the Hotel Meurice, the headquarters of the Military Governor. The Swedish diplomat Raoul Nordling and the German General, Dietrich von Choltitz, meet in a life and death situation for the city of Paris when just before dawn, Dietrich von Choltitz is ordered to destroy the French capital, following Hitler's command. The many twists and turns of their negotiations play out in this highly entertaining thriller that sold out theatres across Sydney in its 2018 Australian premiere season.
Diplomacy examines the madness of men and the idea of the destruction of Paris, for Swedish diplomat Raoul has one night to persuade the German General to leave the landmark city standing. Audiences are drawn into the physical place and time with a setting that is immersive and scaled to include a gigantic map of Paris that highlights all major railway stations, and the architectural and cultural landmarks of the city, from the Notre Dame to The Louvre to the Eiffel Tower.
Audiences won't be disappointed by Bell and Gaden in this neat, tight and intelligent story that condenses all the tension, gravity and history of one high-stakes moment into a riveting 80-minute play.
For more information visit: https://www.thejoan.com.au/events/diplomacy/