| The Shape of the Table | |
|---|---|
| Written by | David Edgar |
| Date premiered | 8 November 1990 |
| Place premiered | National Theatre, London, UK |
| Original language | English |
The Shape of the Table is a theatrical drama written by David Edgar.[1] It was first staged at the National Theatre, London, UK on 8 November 1990 - the first anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall - in a production directed by Jenny Killick.[2]
Overview
The Shape of the Table is a powerful depiction of a fictional Eastern European nation's transitional journey from stoic Communist leadership to a more Western style democracy. The timing of the original staging to coincide with the first anniversary of the fall of Berlin Wall, and thus the Communist regime, marked the first in a trilogy of dramas Edgar had written on the theme of negotiation in the region. Other plays include Pentecost and The Prisoner's Dilemma. The trilogy was revived by North Carolina’s Burning Coal theatre company in 2014.[3]
The title of the play refers to a controversial incident surrounding negotiations held during the Vietnam War. Diplomats from the US, Saigon and Communist leaders took much time deciding the seating positions of delegates before discussions could even begin.
References
- ↑ Robert W. McDowell (16 April 2011). ""The Shape of the Table" by David Edgar Makes Eastern Bloc Politics Personal". triangleartsandentertainment.org.
- ↑ National Theatre : past productions 1986 - 1990
- ↑ Michael Billington (14 November 2014). ""The Shape of the Table" review – David Edgar's power play proves prophetic". The Guardian.
External links
- The Shape of the Table at The Complete Review