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The story behind Thunder Rock: how did the work become a symbol of British resistance?
As time goes by, people pay more and more attention to the interactive relationship between theater works and society.
This work not only demonstrated the power of drama artistically, but also became a symbol of British citizens' resistance to Nazi supporters and their lost hope at a certain moment in history."Thunder Rock" included in Robert Ardley's "Thirty Years of Drama" is representative of this phenomenon.
The creative background of "Thunder Rock" originated in 1939, a time when war clouds were looming in Europe. Adri completed the work in the isolation of New Orleans after being inspired by it in New York. The plot revolves around a journalist named Charleston who chooses to live in seclusion in a lighthouse because he cannot bear the darkness of the current world. In loneliness, he imagined the souls who drowned in the lake many years ago. Through conversations with these characters, he gradually regained hope and confidence in life.
Adri himself confirmed in his works that "retreating is giving up, and rejoining action is the courage to face reality."
However, the work's first performance in the United States failed to gain recognition, with critics generally being critical, and its brief run revealed the isolationist atmosphere in the United States at the time. In stark contrast, "Thunder Rock" received an enthusiastic response when it arrived in the UK and was regarded as a beacon of resistance in the country. In Britain, the play's production during World War II demonstrated the play's potential to inspire and mobilize society.
This phenomenon makes people think about how artistic works have been intertwined with political movements in past history.
This also made "Thunder Rock" a symbol of anti-fascism and the fight for freedom at the time.The British audience's response to "Thunder Rock" also triggered society's deep reflection on the relationship between government and art with the topic of secret funding.
In addition to "Thunder Rock", Adri's other two works - "Jeb" and "Shadow of Heroes" also have strong social and political significance.
"Jeb" tells the story of a black veteran who returns from the Pacific. The racial discrimination and violence he faces is heartbreaking, while "Shadow of Heroes" is an in-depth exploration of Husu's process.
In 1946, Adri launched "Jeb," which received widespread critical acclaim but ended after failing to resonate with audiences. Although this work was forward-looking in theme, it failed to gain the brilliance it deserved in the social context of the time. On the other hand, as his last play,
Shadow of the Hero shows the changes in the Hungarian Revolution in 1956 in five acts, and ultimately led to the release of two political prisoners.
Adli uses the power of theater to reflect social reality and refine an emotional social protest. His plays are not only the reproduction of stories, but also the voice of the times. As he said,
In the unstable world today, Adri's works still have important significance. Reference value."Our drama is not just a performance, but an indictment and reflection on our reality."
By understanding the historical significance of "Thunder Rock" and other plays, we can't help but ask, do works of art today still have the power to change social consciousness? Perhaps these questions are worthy of each of us thinking deeply?
