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Overview
"Stuff happens . . . And it's untidy, and freedom's untidy, and free people are free to make mistakes and commit crimes and do bad things."
Such was Donald Rumsfeld's response on April 11, 2003, following the infamous looting and pillaging of Baghdad. In David Hare's powerful new play chronicling the extraordinary process leading to the American invasion of Iraq, this statement provides entrée into the melee of diplomacy, political power, and terrorist vendetta still making headlines around the world. Using direct quotes meticulously culled from interviews and public appearances, combined with the playwright's nuanced reimagining of what went on behind closed doors, Hare has fashioned a historical narrative and human drama that presents the Iraqi conflict in all of its haphazard notoriety. Stuff Happens uses a uniquely evenhanded approach to a deeply contested invasion—seen from the perspective of international leaders and journalists, as well as Iraqi refugees—and raises a series of provocative questions regarding the most heartfelt and manipulative machinations of domestic and international politik.
Synopsis
"Stuff happens . . . And it's untidy, and freedom's untidy, and free people are free to make mistakes and commit crimes and do bad things."
Such was Donald Rumsfeld's response on April 11, 2003, following the infamous looting and pillaging of Baghdad. In David Hare's powerful new play chronicling the extraordinary process leading to the American invasion of Iraq, this statement provides entrée into the melee of diplomacy, political power, and terrorist vendetta still making headlines around the world. Using direct quotes meticulously culled from interviews and public appearances, combined with the playwright's nuanced reimagining of what went on behind closed doors, Hare has fashioned a historical narrative and human drama that presents the Iraqi conflict in all of its haphazard notoriety. Stuff Happens uses a uniquely evenhanded approach to a deeply contested invasion—seen from the perspective of international leaders and journalists, as well as Iraqi refugees—and raises a series of provocative questions regarding the most heartfelt and manipulative machinations of domestic and international politik.
Editorials
From the Publisher
"His best political play yet . . . An exhilarating account of the genesis of the current war in Iraq."—John Lahr, The New Yorker"The most significant theatrical artifact yet to grow from our catastrophic times."—Linda Winer, Newsday
"The most feverishly anticipated play in London in recent memory." —Ben Brantley, The New York Times