The Damned

The Damned

Comedie-Francaise

Park Avenue Armory

July 19, 2018

Photo courtesy of Comedie-Francaise
& Park Avenue Armory

The North American premier of the Comedie-Francaise production of The Damned is being presented at the Park Avenue Armory this month.  Director Ivo van Hove interprets Luchino Visconti’s film for the Armory’s vast, expansive space with a cast of twenty-three, archival film sequences, and a highly skilled crew of video and sound technicians.  The piece is spoken in French with English subtitles, and runs two hours and ten minutes without an intermission.  It is full of powerful an alarming images that dramatize the political manipulation of complicit behavior to gain control.

Shortly after Adolph Hitler became chancellor of Germany, the Reichstag, which housed the German parliament, was burned by a Dutchman with strong communist connections.  On the same night, the Aschenbach family, who owns and runs the largest steel mill in Germany, is celebrating the birthday of their patriarch (played by Didier Sandre).  The steel mill is a vital need of the Nazi party.  Following the death of the patriarch, the deciding votes on the running of the mill falls to his nephew, Martin (played by Christophe Montenez).  To gain power over these decisions the family pits themselves against one another, turning Jewish member over to the party and reporting disloyalty.  The final fight for power is between Martin and his mother (played by Elsa Lepoivre).  Total destruction of the family is inevitable.

Photo courtesy of Comedie-Francaise
& Park Avenue Armory

The strengthening of the Nazi party through the public’s fear and anger is clear and riveting in this story.  The mistrust between the characters is visceral.  It is stated in the play how the political movement is counting on this family for two things.  One is the steel for making weapons.  The other is their complicity in the party’s beliefs and actions.  This theme is historically understood, and rings with truth and relevance today.

The Damned is playing at the Park Avenue Armory through July 28.  A production of this magnitude and importance must be experienced.  The ending will shock and stay with you.  Get your tickets today! 

Domenick Danza