Canned Goods
Rating: ★★★
Venue: Southwark Playhouse Borough
Cast: Charlie Archer, Joe Mallalieu, Danny Mellor, Dan Parr, Rowan Polonski and Tom Wells

Making its London premiere after several critically acclaimed US runs, Canned Goods tells the gripping true story of a little-known – but pivotal – moment in history. Still relevant today, Erik Kahn’s edge-of-your seat thriller explores the knife edge of propaganda, ‘fake news’ and how those in power bend the truth for their own agenda.

If you ask most people how World War Two began, they will tell you it happened when Germany invaded Poland in an attempt to take power. What they may not realise is that happened following a false flag operation by Hitler to make it seem as though Poland had in fact attacked first. Canned Goods tells the story of the men involved in this operation and recounts the hours before their untimely deaths at the hands of S.S Major Naujocks.

Erik Khan has used Major Naujocks’ testimony at the Nuremberg Trials as a basis for this piece, so it must, of course, be taken with a pinch of salt as to the historical accuracy of words from a man wanting to save himself. There is so much potential in this story and for emotional beats within it, but this piece feels as though it misses the mark, focusing more on the philosophical question of ‘Why is War?’ over anything else, meaning we lose the potential for depth.

The three prisoners’ debate and discuss why they have been chosen for the ‘Grandma’s Dead’ mission; there is nothing special about them, no linking characteristic between them, from their jobs, religions and backgrounds. There is no obvious reason as to why they have been chosen, except that they are forgettable men and have no one in their lives to notice they are gone. It would have been interesting to delve deeper into these characters. I wanted to know more of the Jewish teacher who quotes Saints, or the German working-class man who although standing with Hitler maybe questions the motivations of the Reich. The writing nods to deeper stories within them but they are never given the time to be explored, instead the same conversations are repeated in various ways as the men try to grapple with their arrest and forthcoming mission.

The performances are strong, and make the best of a dark story. Dan Parr as SS Major Naujocks is a charismatic showman, who towards the end of the piece forces the audience to look inward on themselves and question our motivations in watching the piece: are we idle bystanders as we watch another war begin? (This felt important given press night coincided with Inauguration Day in America). 

Charlie Archer is wonderful as the Jewish educator, Birnbaum, bringing a strength and inquisitive role to the piece, often asking the questions we the audience pose to ourselves. Rowan Polonski brings a high energy to the role of Kruger, a working class German who tends to parrot things he’s heard politicians and people of power say. Rowan does well not to over-play this part and instead reminds us how easy it can be to follow the wrong leader when they say all the right things. Tom Wells rounds off the cast as humble farmer Honick, an average man with a big understanding of the world around him. Wells brings an honesty and authenticity to the role which instantly gets us on side with him.

The lighting and set design is a key part of this play, taking us from prison cell to radio studio in the blink of an eye. The lighting from Ryan Joseph Stafford wonderfully enhances the more dramatic moments of the piece, emphasising the power of the story.

This is a play which at its core has an interesting story, one which I would like to know more of but unfortunately this play does not give it the full justice it deserves and feels lacking at points. Perhaps a longer piece with more exploration of the men it centres around would bring it to life and help those emotional plot points hit a little harder.

You can book tickets to Canned Goods, here.

Review by Rosie

**photo credit: Mark Senior**