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Beat the Devil

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Beat the Devil

By: David Hare, Donald Katz - Introduction
Narrated by: David Hare
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About this listen

In the spring of 2020, as the world grappled with the deepening coronavirus pandemic, acclaimed British screenwriter and playwright David Hare was struck down by the virus himself.

With brutal honesty, sharp humor, and his trademark insight, the renowned writer of modern classics like Skylight and Plenty brings us into his own experience battling the bizarre and terrifying symptoms of Covid-19. But Hare's masterful storytelling transforms his personal odyssey into a universal reckoning on life's fragility and preciousness–and the shared trauma we must grapple with in the virus’s aftermath.

Originally premiered at the Bridge Theatre in London in August 2020, this searing monologue was the first production to proudly reopen the West End to theatergoers after lockdown. Now, this powerful solo performance comes to Audible with a special introduction from Audible Founder Don Katz, allowing listeners to intimately experience one of our era's preeminent creative voices as he ruminates on mortality, resilience, and love.

Audio includes an exclusive interview with Don Katz and David Hare at the end of the program.

©2024 David Hare (P)2024 AO Media, LLC Editors Select Entertainment & Performing Arts Witty

Editorial Review

Reflecting on the dark, early days of the pandemic
The legendary English playwright David Hare reopened the West End theatre scene following the COVID-19 pandemic with a personal one-man show about his own experience fighting the disease while the government scrambled only to spectacularly fail in their response. While Ralph Fiennes took to the stage back in 2021, Hare performs his own work here, providing a nuanced delivery filled with exasperation, rage and even humour. Beat the Devil took me back to the early days of the pandemic in a way I never could have predicted I would want. There's an almost delicious quality here; I was riveted by morbid nostalgia. You recognise this world, and you are grateful it is now history but you also can't look away, driven by a need to revisit a shared trauma. Moving and heartfelt, bracing and funny, this is a concentrated time capsule that everyone should listen to. —Emily C., Audible Editor

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I loved this play I saw it at the Bridge theatre in 2020 It was incredible I loved it then I loved it on audible

Great recording of monologues

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Loved the format (brief introduction, performance, interview with Hare) and this dramatic monologue was a little gem, not a word out of place, not a superfluous sentence to be found. I will look for more like this and probably listen to this one again. Last thought: Hare’s pronunciation of the word “sewage” deserves an award (in fact his accent and voice are a soothing delight throughout).

David Hare is an under appreciated national treasure

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An entertaining, educational and occasionally enraging way to pass an hour. Yes, we remember the UK government messed up on dealing with COVID, but here David Hare juxtaposes his own personal illness with COVID, contracted before lockdown, with what the UK government was doing (or rather not doing) even as he lay drenched in sweat or suffering uncontrollable vomiting. Some of the points may seem obvious, but we are already forgetting just how bad this was - both the virus and the people supposed to be looking after us. Worth returning to every so often.

Concise and acerbic account of government failure

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Well read by the author but I am glad it was short as it was re-living recent history which I remember well!

Re-living Covid

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Said it as it is. I don’t understand why people think it’s a hoax! Why?? What’s in it for anyone?
When I was in hospital everyone assumed I was anti vax. I found the air to say i care for my mum I’ve had more than most people. I was in a side room but tried to put a mask on but a dr said it’s your right not to protect us! What the hell? Then cleaners came in all assumed I wasn’t vaxed gave up telling them then a handy man came it to swap soap dispensers I said no please don’t come in. He said you have pneumonia covid is fake. I have brittle asthma so I assumed that’s why I got it so badly
This year I’ve had a career breakdown, a mild stroke where I couldn’t speak my dearest cat died (I don’t mean my favourite) he was just special and 16 Years old
I’ve fallen out with family and then covid and 3 weeks after pneumonia both treated in hospital
Thank for writing with such honesty

Recently had covid and was in hospital. He’s so right about symptoms

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