1936: Berlin and other plays by Tom McNab

This is a collection of three plays by Tom McNab, a leading figure in the sporting world. 1936: Berlin focusses on the preparation for the Berlin Olympics with Hitler questioning the value of such an event, while in the US, Jesse Owens is preparing to compete. Orwell on Jura features George Orwell after a near fatal fishing accident in his struggle to complete 1984. Whisper in the heart features a struggling Orson Welles as he engages with photographer and film maker Leni Riefenstahl in Valencia.

1936: Berlin has seventeen parts but a cast of ten could double up on some roles. The play takes place largely in Germany and America and is narrated by American journalist William Shirer. As a whole play, this is not a text that I would choose to use, however, there are some great scenes that students could really engage with for duologue work.