[© Harry Elletson Photography www.harryelletson.com / @_he_photo]

RENAMED Trueman and the Arsonists, Max Frisch’s 1953 dark comedy has been newly adapted by Simon Stephens with original songs by Chris Thorpe for represent., a theatre company for actors from low-income backgrounds. Aaron Douglas (guitar) and Lucy Yates (drums) serve as a musical chorus.

There have been fires all over town. The arsonists talk their way into the homes of the well-off, only to burn them down.
Trueman (Adam Owers), a businessman, is convinced he’s not going to be duped. Instead, he allows Joseph Smith (Tommy Oldroyd), a homeless man and former heavyweight fighter, into his home. Smith is swiftly joined by Ironside (Angela Jones) a waiter and his partner in crime.

Constrained by middle-class guilt and an eagerness to be perceived as decent, Trueman and his wife Bobsy (Nadine Ivy Barr) find themselves unable to evict their unwelcome guests.

The illicit pair are soon storing huge drums of petrol in the attic and measuring fuses.

Instead of raising the alarm, Trueman and Bobsy wine and dine them until the inevitable happens.

Abigail Graham’s production is competently acted but lacks tension and clarity. Who are these fire raisers supposed to represent?

Why does Trueman become complicit in his own downfall?

Until November 8
roundhouse.org.uk