theguardian.com
Lan's 'The Inheritance of Loss': A Review
David Lan's play, 'The Inheritance of Loss,' explores the post-WWII plight of displaced children, focusing on a young Polish boy, Thomas, stolen by the Nazis and later seeking answers from a UN worker, Ruth.
- How does the play's setting and structure contribute to its narrative?
- The play uses a traverse set with a kitchen representing the present and a bookcase/piano representing 1945, allowing scenes from both periods to interweave. This structure, however, contributes to a slow pace and fails to fully develop the emotional weight of the numerous plot points.
- What is the central theme of Lan's play, and what are its immediate implications?
- The play centers on the experiences of displaced minors after WWII, particularly those stolen by the Nazis and their struggles to reclaim their identities and find their families. It highlights the lasting trauma of these events and the ethical complexities of displacement, drawing parallels to contemporary refugee issues.
- What are the play's strengths and weaknesses concerning its portrayal of historical events and emotional impact?
- While the play successfully spotlights the largely unknown issue of Nazi child abduction and its long-term consequences, its slow pacing and underdeveloped supporting characters hinder its potential emotional impact. The powerful performances by Stevenson and Wilkinson-Hunt, however, are highlights.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The review focuses on the play's strengths (acting, set design) and weaknesses (pace, generic characters), offering a balanced perspective. However, the concluding sentence suggesting those protesting immigration should watch the play to 'restore their humanity' subtly frames the issue, implying a moral failing on the part of protesters. This could be perceived as framing the play's message as a solution to the complex issue of immigration, potentially overlooking other perspectives.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and descriptive. However, describing the aristocratic Germans as "cartoon villains" is a subjective and loaded term. Suggesting a neutral alternative such as "dressed in black and appearing austere" would reduce the biased perception. The final sentence uses strong language ("restore their humanity"), which could be considered loaded, implying a lack of humanity in those protesting immigration.
Bias by Omission
The review focuses primarily on the theatrical aspects of the production. Missing is analysis of the play's portrayal of the historical context of displaced persons, including potential biases in how the narrative presents the experiences of displaced children or the actions of different groups involved. A deeper dive into the historical accuracy and potential biases within the play's narrative itself would enhance the review.
Sustainable Development Goals
The play directly addresses the issue of displaced people and human rights violations following WWII, connecting to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by highlighting the importance of accountability for past atrocities and the need for justice for victims. The depiction of stolen children and their subsequent struggle for identity underscores the importance of protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring their right to identity and belonging. The play implicitly encourages reflection on the consequences of conflict and the importance of preventing similar human rights abuses in the future. The parallel drawn between post-WWII displaced persons and contemporary refugees and asylum seekers further emphasizes the ongoing relevance of the SDG and its targets.