The Fire Raisers at Hope Mill Theatre

Max Frisch’s darkly comic play The Fire Raisers arrives at Hope Mill Theatre this March, courtesy of new Manchester company We Merry Dancers in co-production with HER Productions.

Written by Swiss playwright Max Frisch in 1948, the play explores the dangers of turning a blind eye to growing threats and the consequences of inaction – something that resonates quite uncomfortably with the here and now.

The story follows Gottlieb Biedermann, whose town has recently been targeted by serial arsonists. Biedermann is one of the first to speak out against the attacks – but when two arsonists talk their way into his home, making absolutely no secret of their intention to burn it down, he flatly refuses to acknowledge the truth that’s right in front of his eyes.

Described by Frisch as a “lesson without teaching”, the allegorical play can be seen as a comment on any number of 20th or 21st century political, social or ecological events that have seen even the most respectable citizens turn a blind eye to blatant wrongdoing. It’s left to the audience, however, to decide specifically where and how we apply that message.

Amy Gavin directs, making her solo debut after HER Productions’ acclaimed runs of Taming of the Shrew and Macbeth. Her approach leans into the play’s queasy duality – farce meeting dread – with a physical, atmospheric staging that keeps the audience aware of how denial gathers its own momentum. Rupert Hill leads the cast as Gottlieb Biedermann, joined by Althea Burey, Jessica Forrest, Kyle O’Neil, Michael Clay, Leyla Barakat, Mathew Martin-Warren, Milly Overland and Claire Ramtuhul.

For a debut production, it’s a striking and off-centre choice: sharp, absurd and darkly funny. Exactly the kind of work that Hope Mill does best.