The 20th of November is a searing indictment of the complacency of contemporary life, and a howl of anger for the outcast and oppressed. With text largely taken from the video diaries and blog of an actual German school shooter, acclaimed Swedish playwright Lars Noren creates a character that is at once sympathetic and horrifying. He insists that we bear witness to the rage and torment of a young man who feels dispossessed and alienated.
The 20th of November is outgoing Artistic Director Brendan Healy's directorial farewell, and while the subject matter is heavy this is the type of work that Brendan has excelled at while at the helm of the Buddies "ship". The tone and subject matter brings to mind 2010's Blasted which won five Dora awards including Oustanding production and Best Director.
Reviews for the production have been mixed. The Star gave it three and a half stars and Now also liked it with three Ns, but J Kelly Nestruck wrote an entertaining article about a the show in which he interviews an attendee who walked out. Either way people are talking about The 20th of September. And with only two weeks left you'd better hurry if you want to catch this one.