Biedermann and the Arsonists

“The portrayal of an average citizen who has a slightly guilty conscience … and who would like to have a clear one, without changing a thing.” Max Frisch

Mr Biedermann is reading in the newspaper about a series of arson attacks when the penniless wrestler Schmitz turns up at the Biedermanns’ door. He tells the couple about his difficult childhood, life on the streets and his humble circumstances. The couple are so taken aback that Biedermann promptly offers him the attic as a place to stay. He cannot imagine that Schmitz has anything to do with the burning houses that have recently been causing great unrest in the town. The next day, Schmitz is joined by company. The uninvited ‘guests’ make themselves at home and openly discuss their highly dangerous plans, which Biedermann finds thoroughly amusing. So what is to be done? And since Mr Biedermann refuses to face the truth, he will end up handing them the missing matches.