Sometimes press releases are worth reading for themelves alone, regardless
of the newsworthiness - or otherwise - of the contents. This is one
of those times....
English Translation of Classic German Comedy Dr Job Praetorius
London, 221b Baker Street - February 15th 1896
Sherlock Holmes' Library. Both Dr Watson and Sherlock Holmes sit
reading newspapers.
Holmes
I say, Watson, you won't believe this, but I've just read that the
Germans have discovered the gall to start writing comedies.
Watson
I know. They've been writing them for years.
Holmes
Have they? And how do you know that?
Watson
Because we're in one.
Holmes
What's that now?
Watson
We've been in one for over seventy years.
Holmes
I find that rather hard to stomach.
Watson
Well, it's true. We are characters in the most successful German comedy
of the twentieth century.
Holmes
The twentieth century? So it's set in the future?
Watson
Kind of. It's set in the 1930s.
Holmes
Aren't we supposed to be dead by then?
Watson
Precisely what I thought.
Holmes
Those Germans have no respect for tradition.
Watson
I agree.
Holmes And it's a comedy, you say?
Watson
That's right.
Holmes
Am I particularly funny in it?
Watson
Well, you're not really in it that much.
Holmes
Excuse me? There must be some mistake. I'm Sherlock Holmes! I'm the
main character.
Watson
Not in this one. This one's about Dr Job Praetorius.
Holmes
The gall! Only a German would have the audacity to put me in one of
his plays and then decide that he's more interested in the inconsequential
goings-on of a doctor.
Watson
Steady on! I'm a doctor.
Holmes
I rest my case. And you're in it as well, are you?
Watson
That's right.
Holmes
Well, I'm thoroughly appalled at this entire situation. But as long
as I solve the mystery at the end, then, I suppose I can live with
the other ignominies.
Watson unfolds his newspaper.
Holmes
Watson? I do solve the mystery, don't I? Watson?
Watson opens the newspaper and starts to read.
Following seventy three years of success in German theatres, Curt
Goetz's play Dr Job Praetorius has now been translated into
English. As the most celebrated German comedy of the twentieth century,
it threatens to destroy one of the greatest myths of all time and
prove once and for all that Germans can be funny.
Or at least can try to be funny.
Or if not funny then at least a bit silly.
Or perhaps strange.
Look, some of us sat down at a long table and worked out the mathematical
formula for funny, so we are pretty confident that it's funny, okay!
The play has been translated by Philippe Rixhon, and is in the early
stages of negotiating its world premiere.
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