1936, Berlin. When Jewish athlete Helene Mayer is selected for the Nazis' Olympic Squad, she realizes she is fighting for much more than gold. More…
From the show:
Based on a true story, 'Games' is a cautionary tale for our times. A multi-award-winning, sell-out success, the show received won the Adelaide Fringe Weekly Award and received astonishing 14, five and four-star reviews in Edinburgh where it was called: *****"Breathtaking and powerful, Henry Naylor's Games is sharp, funny and poignant- a must see." EdFest Magazine; ***** "A truly genius piece of writing" Voice Mag.
See it if Deals with 2 German athletes and the 1936 Olympic games. Adds useful texture to understanding of the period. I wanted to like it -but didn't
Don't see it if Terrible staging, so-so acting, fair script, poor casting will overwhelm the important message. Note that it is short - 75 minutes.
Also There is clear immediate context to these historical events, so worth ... Read more Read less
See it if You like historical dramas, and also are into the history of the 1936 Olympic games. You want to see a well acted show.
Don't see it if You don't like a 2 person show, want to see a big stage production, want to stretch your legs, this is an old theatre so seats are tight.
See it if True stories set in Nazi Germany, period pieces, athletic themes.
Don't see it if Smaller cast with 2 characters, mostly monologues.
See it if you would like to learn about another face of the holocaust and good acting.
Don't see it if you expect to see a banal play with songs and dancing.
See it if Historical plays with a message
Don't see it if If you like fully staged "Fluff"
See it if You want yo see thoughtful topics with take away. Good script. I researched the characters even after the show. Good acting
Don't see it if You want entertainment. The staging is very basic.
See it if you'd like to consider the relationship between sports and politics, and between pre-Nazi Germany and today.
Don't see it if you are looking only for light entertainment without food for thought.
See it if You enjoy well written plays about socially relevant topics.
Don't see it if You do not have an appreciation for history, slow building stories, or minimal set design as part of a story.
See it if a great insight into history through two historic and specific points of view. Great at respectfully expanding both.
Don't see it if Bare staging makes concentrating difficult at times. Aisle utilized by actors.
See it if You love intimate, great shows with excellent writing
Don't see it if If you like fluff.
See it if you're interested in sports/Jewish history. You'll go to google!Chilling tale of rise of Nazism. Reminder of how fascism spreads.
Don't see it if you dislike monologues (this has dueling set-pieces w occasional interactn). Diff acting styles, altho both good. Move onstage boxes often.
See it if You think history can’t repeat itself. An entertaining yet very informative look at how two athletes tried to stay out of politics in WW2.
Don't see it if You have no interest in history or politics.
Also An interesting look at how you can’t stay on the sidelines when it com... Read more Read less
See it if agonizing story of celebrated fencer H Mayer's attempt 2 transcend Jewish issue as pure "sportswoman;" poetic script, athletic choreography
Don't see it if consists largely of series of monologues; contrived in pairing Mayer w far less important Jewish athlete who faces her Jewishness head-on
Also The playwright presents a nuanced portrait of Mayer in "Games." The pl... Read more Read less
See it if You want to see a very interesting slice of life play. Well acted, interesting subject, relevant and poignant.
Don't see it if You need glitz and glamour staging, this is a pretty bare bones production. You want a happy ending.
See it if Yes, award-worthy. Will make you indignant & inspired & emotional despite yourself and what you already know about the Holocaust.
Don't see it if want something more experimental than vibrant soliloquies; u need the controversy of the Nuremberg laws explained to you like a small child*
Also Solid first preview! Long applause at curtain. ... Read more Read less
See it if you don't mind giving up myths about gender. race, ethnicity and collaboration with evil
Don't see it if knowing that you are going to have at least one of your "core" beliefs deconstructed is too much for you to deal with
Also If there is a flaw (and I'm not sure it is one), it is that the produc... Read more Read less
See it if you want to know more about the life and motivations of German Jewish woman early 20th century Olympiads, how achievements shaped history.
Don't see it if you prefer multi-act, large cast/costumes/sets comedies or musicals, are disturbed by discussions of Nazi Germany or non Jews playing Jews.
See it if You want to see a perspective on sports versus identity. Two women are both fighting persecution but their responses are far different.
Don't see it if You do not like low budget fare. You do not like solo (2 woman ) shows
See it if you want a true story about a famous Jewish athlete in 1936 Olympics who wants to keep religion out of politics and be judged on her skill
Don't see it if you aren't interested in pre WWII sports and politics