The Fire Raisers, Part 2

Summary: 1966 ABC Television production for ITV of The Fire Raisers by Max Frisch, presented in two parts in The Present Stage series which looked at outstanding and controversial plays of the previous decade.
Theatre play: The Fire Raisers [Biedermann und die Brandstifter] by Max Frisch (1911-1991) [more information]
Play synopsis: 'This dark comedy is set in a town that is being regularly attacked by arsonists. Disguised as door-to-door salesmen (hawkers), they talk their way into people’s homes and settle down in the attic, where they set about the destruction of the house. Written in the years following World War II, as a metaphor for Nazism and fascism, the play shows how "normal" citizens can be taken in by evil. The central character, a businessman called Biedermann, is seen at the outset reading newspaper reports of arson, convinced that he could never be taken in. Within minutes, the first "hawker" has appeared (Schmitz), and through a combination of intimidation and persuasion he talks his way into spending the night in the attic. As the play unfolds, a second arsonist appears (Eisenring), and before Biedermann can do anything to stop it, his attic is piled high with oil drums full of petrol. He even helps them to measure the detonating fuse and gives them matches, refusing to believe the full horror of what is happening. He soon becomes an accomplice in his own downfall. The action is observed by a Greek-style chorus of "firemen", and the increasingly surreal flavour culminates in a final scene, the afterpiece, where Biedermann and his wife Babette find themselves at the gates of Hell.' Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fire_Raisers_%28play%29.
Production history: Written in 1953, first as a radio play, then adapted for television and the stage (1958) as a play in six scenes. It was revised in 1960 to include an epilogue, or afterpiece.
Date of transmission: Sunday 22 May 1966
Time: 1.45-2.10pm
Series: Present Stage
Channel: ITV
Production company: ABC Television (1955-1968)