The Visit (
1956)
This rarely
produced play is one of
Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s best. It tells the story of a worn down
Eastern European town that is invaded by a super rich
heiress. She will give the town all the
money they need provided that her arch enemy, a well respect resident of the town, (and childhood friend) is murdered. It doesn't matter by who or how. Our
hero, the man whose life is at stake, is, inevitably, murdered. The town arranges this so that
no one man is to blame. Through a
rubegoldbergairen feat of
rationalization they
justify taking a human life for
material wealth. The play is a criticism of
capitalism and a harsh commentary on the flexibility of human
morality. It is also extremely
funny though at times
horrific. Think:
The Lottery meets
The Government Inspector.
"My grandfather was once sent to prison for ten days because of a poem he wrote. I haven't been honored in that way yet. Maybe it's my fault, or maybe the world has gone so far to the dogs that it doesn't even feel insulted anymore if it's criticized severely."
- Friedrich Dürrenmatt