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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
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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

What listeners say about Beat the Devil

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Profile Image for Chris

Memorable event of COVID told with wit and grace

I thought this might be a little high brow for me initially but the author is a fascinating writer who weaves magic with his words. I found myself realising that despite having had COVID myself, I had missed various events that this story recaps. The glib view of the illness, and the well-deserved ire cast on the governmnet for its failings, make this a great book.

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Time to reflect on what's really important in our life..

Really enjoyed this wonderfully true life changing story. Reminds us all of the massively missing blunder and panic our ruling UK government leaders took to respond at the biggest threat to our the whole country..

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Profile Image for Lizzie Biscuits

A Must Listen

Short and punchy, should be added to the curriculum. It's amazing how quickly we seem to have forgotten this period of our recent history.
I had covid, my husband was hospitalised but survived, Folks already act like it never happened. Wild.

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Profile Image for Buddy

Great recording of monologues

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

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