The Human Capacity

by Jennifer Barclay

Set in East Berlin, both before and after the fall of the Wall, The Human Capacity follows the journey of a Stasi officer as he seeks redemption from the woman whose life he shattered. Both torturer and victim find themselves caught in a struggle to reconcile the horrors of their past with their hopes for the future. The play is a searing look into a society and a family in turmoil, and an exploration of the...

Set in East Berlin, both before and after the fall of the Wall, The Human Capacity follows the journey of a Stasi officer as he seeks redemption from the woman whose life he shattered. Both torturer and victim find themselves caught in a struggle to reconcile the horrors of their past with their hopes for the future. The play is a searing look into a society and a family in turmoil, and an exploration of the human capacity for cruelty, perseverance, and forgiveness.

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The Human Capacity

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: The Human Capacity by Jennifer Barclay
    “

    A powerful look at the ability to heal after and forgive after being violated. Moving and well done.

    A powerful look at the ability to heal after and forgive after being violated. Moving and well done.

    ”
  • Lyra Nalan: The Human Capacity by Jennifer Barclay
    “

    Like the title suggests, it is a play about Human Capacity-- to hurt, to protect, to hate, to love, to repent, and to forgive...It is a deeply moving, disturbing period piece commenting on the sad theme in our history--one person carries out atrocious deed to an innocent individual and justifying it as "following the orders". And can that person or should that person ever forgive the perpetrator? Who's there to blame for a tragedy this scale?

    Like the title suggests, it is a play about Human Capacity-- to hurt, to protect, to hate, to love, to repent, and to forgive...It is a deeply moving, disturbing period piece commenting on the sad theme in our history--one person carries out atrocious deed to an innocent individual and justifying it as "following the orders". And can that person or should that person ever forgive the perpetrator? Who's there to blame for a tragedy this scale?

    ”
  • Donna Gordon: The Human Capacity by Jennifer Barclay
    “

    Very subtle approach on the subject of government by fear. It's amazing that more hasn't been written about the Berlin wall because of its historical significance. The wall, as Ms. Barclay describes, symbolizes lies and betrayal, but, even more, the misjudgments people make about other people. The tendency to see in others their faults and weaknesses, and elevate this process to the level of communistic surveillance is well revealed in this play. The effects on families is particularly devastating, as Ms. Barclay so dramatically and specifically reveals.

    Very subtle approach on the subject of government by fear. It's amazing that more hasn't been written about the Berlin wall because of its historical significance. The wall, as Ms. Barclay describes, symbolizes lies and betrayal, but, even more, the misjudgments people make about other people. The tendency to see in others their faults and weaknesses, and elevate this process to the level of communistic surveillance is well revealed in this play. The effects on families is particularly devastating, as Ms. Barclay so dramatically and specifically reveals.

    ”

Development History

  • Reading, Steppenwolf, First Look Festival, 2006