The Art of Bad Men

by Vincent Delaney

Based on interviews with former German prisoners of war, this is the true story of the POW camps which dotted the US during World War Two.

It’s 1945. Thousands of Germans are trapped here behind barbed wire, while back home their world is collapsing. Some are ardent Nazis, some are barely old enough to hold a shovel. Every one of them is scared: of the war, of losing their home, of the vastness of this...

Based on interviews with former German prisoners of war, this is the true story of the POW camps which dotted the US during World War Two.

It’s 1945. Thousands of Germans are trapped here behind barbed wire, while back home their world is collapsing. Some are ardent Nazis, some are barely old enough to hold a shovel. Every one of them is scared: of the war, of losing their home, of the vastness of this strange land. But for a few, a camp production of a Moliere play may give them a chance—either to escape or to transcend.

Developed at The Actors Company Theatre, NYC, and the Orlando Shakespeare Festival.

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The Art of Bad Men

Recommended by

  • Claudia Haas: The Art of Bad Men by Vincent Delaney
    “

    A powerhouse of a play - Delaney infuses his characters with humanity - German POWs and American soldiers alike. Cleverly framed by Moliere’s “The Miser (“it’s a comedy! - well, maybe in this version maybe not), Delaney gives us a bookend of a cultured society on one end and a beet harvest in Iowa on the other - with no judgements. The dialogue moves cleverly and quickly and the characters draw you in. While it’s an historical play, it speaks to us today. Produce it and listen. It has a lot to say.

    A powerhouse of a play - Delaney infuses his characters with humanity - German POWs and American soldiers alike. Cleverly framed by Moliere’s “The Miser (“it’s a comedy! - well, maybe in this version maybe not), Delaney gives us a bookend of a cultured society on one end and a beet harvest in Iowa on the other - with no judgements. The dialogue moves cleverly and quickly and the characters draw you in. While it’s an historical play, it speaks to us today. Produce it and listen. It has a lot to say.

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: The Art of Bad Men by Vincent Delaney
    “

    A fascinating story taking us behind the curtain of the POW camps into the psychology of the German soldiers and perhaps the production of a play will give them a way out. Well done.

    A fascinating story taking us behind the curtain of the POW camps into the psychology of the German soldiers and perhaps the production of a play will give them a way out. Well done.

    ”

Development History

Production History

  • Professional, MAP Theatre, Seattle, 2015
  • Professional, Theatre B, Fargo , 2015

Awards

  • Apsey Award
    University of Alabama, Birmingham
    Winner
    2008
  • Nathan Miller Award
    Sprenger Lang Foundation
    Winner
    2008