Hampton Roads Premiere - Wilhelm Furlwangler was considered among the greatest conductors in the world when the Nazis took control of Germany in the 1930's. Unlike many great artists and scientists of his generation, Furtwangler refused to flee his homeland, instead he continued to pursue his craft. After the war, he was relentlessly hounded by ths Americans although he was never convicted of any association to the Nazi regime. Was Furtwangler a war criminal or a victim? Did he heroically uphold the principle that art is above politics; or did he cowardly hide himself behind the artist's shield? Set in the American Zone of occupied Berlin in 1946, Taking Sides is an intriguing play which raises many questions, but ultimately the answers depend on the side you take.

"A brave, wise and deeply moving play... " - London Sunday Times
"A taut, chilling drama...riveting, often witty, and stirs one with a powefful indignation." - Financial Times.

About the Author: Born in South Africa, Hawood joined Sir Donals Wolfit's Shakespeare Company as an actor and dresser to the last of the old-style actor-managers. He continued as an actor until 1959 but in 1960 he had a play produced on television and published his first novel in 1961. Since then he has been a tour-de-force of writing with The Dresser, After the Lions, Interpreters, J.J. Farr, and Another Time.