The Chelmsford Theatre Workshop presents The Arsonists‚ by Max Frisch, adapted by Alistair Beaton.

A modern cautionary tale.

At Chelmsford Theatre Workshop, The Old Court Theatre 2nd November 2010 - 6th November 2010 at 7.45pm

Combining live music, a variety of dramatic techniques and placing the audience at the heart of the performance, 'The Arsonists' is CTW's exciting and innovative November production; a reimagining of Alistair Beaton's adaptation of Max Frisch's 'The Fire Setters' which promises to bring the house down.

Using the Roman Catholic Church and the recent sexual abuses scandal as the story's backdrop, CTW's production acts as a modern cautionary tale about honesty, ignorance and the true cost of inaction. Set in a world when churches are subject to a terrifying series of vindictive arson attacks, we are sat in the middle of Father Biedermann's parochial house. A priest who believes he is safe from the fire and destruction of the abuse scandal, Biedermann convinces himself he is perfectly safe. But when a suspiciously strange looking man and woman turn up at his house unexpectedly one day, Father Biedermann's life - and his church - will never be the same again. Dark, comic and intense, 'The Arsonists' will see the audience enveloped in the performance and the murky world of a religious institution in dire straits; an institution in mortal danger.

Originally written as a metaphor for the rise of fascism, 'The Arsonists' is a timeless cautionary tale warning that it is never too late for one to take responsibility and confront injustice. Danny Segeth, the Director who is also a Roman Catholic, is confident that this is not a foretelling of the future, nor is it a statement from CTW or himself about one's personal belief: "A cautionary tale is just that; a story that depicts the possible, often exaggerated, outcome of mankind's behaviour and begs for those who read it to guard themselves against a similar fate. This is not anti-Catholic theatre, far from it; this is reconciliatory theatre, imploring the church to change their ways before it's too late. As a Catholic myself, I believe any Catholic or religious person could empathise with what they are seeing."

'The Arsonists' runs from 2nd November to 6th November at the Old Court Theatre at 7.45pm, with tickets available from the Civic Theatre Box Office on 01245 606505, online at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres or on a performance night at the Old Court Theatre.