13.11.1997

Universal lessons

Nick Clarke reviews Bill Findlay's 'The Weavers' (from the original by Gerhart Hauptmann)

Gerhart Hauptmann’s The Weavers is a milestone in world drama. Written in 1892, it tells the story of the 1844 revolt of Silesian handloom weavers. It is widely regarded as the first socialist play, promoting working class collectivity rather than an individual hero. Its significance was such that Lenin organised the secret publication and circulation in Russia of a translation written by his sister and edited by himself.

Prior to its German premiere in 1894 it was already making an important political impact. Its message of revolution and solidarity led the Berlin authorities to ban the first version (which was in a Silesian dialect). Hauptmann then produced a High German version which, while more accessible, diluted some of the hard political edge of the original. Even this suffered censorship, which was eventually lifted when it was decided that the cost of theatre tickets would prevent the working class from seeing it and being influenced by it. However, its first public performance led emperor Wilhelm II to cancel his season ticket to the ‘guilty’ theatre.

Bill Findlay’s adaptation of the Silesian language version into Scots, using an Angus dialect, works well, illustrating that capitalist exploitation and poverty have no national boundaries, but are international phenomena.

This large-scale production successfully blends the 14 professional actors with 34 from the Dundee Rep Community Company (who brought us the much admired play about Timex in Dundee, On the Line. It starts with a subservient and acquiescent community of weavers, who are literally begging from their boss and his lackeys. As the production moves on, so the social unrest grows, as does the weavers’ confidence. They eventually recognise that collective action, through revolt, is their only solution if they are to escape from such dreadful poverty.

These emotions, conflict and lessons are universal for all workers, whether Silesian or Scottish weavers, or Liverpool dockers. Solidarity, collective strength and purpose is the way to win.

Nick Clarke