Savage
Claudio Macor
White Bear Theatre 25 Feb – 15 Mar 2026
COPENHAGEN 1940. With the Nazi occupation of Denmark, life did not change much. Zack and Nikolai enjoy the hedonism of the cabaret, see friends and are happy in love. Their world is shattered when Doctor Carl Vaernet discovers a cure for homosexuality. Nikolai is arrested, interrogated and experimented on in front of General Von Ascelmen who is so impressed with the Doctor’s result that he appoints him the Doctor to cure homosexual’s in Buchenwald concentration camp.
After several attempts the cure fails, the Nazi’s loose interest and send Doctor Vaernet back to Copenhagen. Upon the liberation of Denmark by British forces Doctor Vaernet is arrested and interrogated but when the British authorities find out about his cure they are keen to send him to Britain. Knowing Britain has an extradition treaty with Germany, the Doctor feigns a heart condition.
He’s sent to Sweden for treatment with a stipend paid by the Britain and flees to South America. He remains in Argentina until his death, never hounded or prosecuted. After liberation, Zack and Nikolai try to rebuild their lives and rekindle their love. This important play exposes a heart-breaking love story and amidst the brutal and SAVAGE TRUE STORY of an obsessed and forgotten Nazi War Criminal.
Reviews
“It’s important, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s a five-star triumph.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Pink Prince Theatre)
“a compelling, intriguing, taut and reflective show flawlessly done.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Forever with Pride eMagazine)
“What impressed me most is the consistency of the company. Nobody drops energy. Nobody coasts. Each character is written with purpose and performed with full commitment, so the story feels braided rather than split into subplots. In a cast of seven, that kind of ensemble discipline is rare, and it is part of why Savage feels so complete”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (All Things Theatre)
“Savage is searingly tender love story. Writer Claudio Macor beautifully marries the tenderness with the savagery, and the skill of the writing is in the detail. Heart-breaking and savage, it would be a crime to overlook it.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (All Things Theatre)
“a finely honed drama”
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (The Spy in the Stalls)
“Superb performances from all, excellent staging, sound and lighting.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (TheQueerGB)
“Everatt’s SS General….a carefully judged interpretation.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Plays to See)
“Savage is a timely reminder that things have not moved on the way they should, and it is well worth a watch.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Last Minute Theatre Tickets)
“Nielsen-Keen shines as the feisty Georg.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Queer Guru)
“a devastatingly moving tale of the effects of the atrocious idea that homosexuality is something to be cured.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Everything Theatre)
“many twists in LAMBCO’s courageous production”
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (theTeaWithKelvin)
“gripping, humane, and illuminated by an unforgettable performance from Claire-Monique Martin”
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (London Born and Bred)
LAMBCO Productions and the SAVAGE company thank Marlin Apartments for their generous support.
CAST
Mark Kitto as Dr Carl Peter Vaernet
Kerill Kelly as Nikolai Bergsen
Matthew Hartley as Zack Travis
Claire-Monique Martin as Ilse Paulsen and Maria Fruede
Tom Everatt (Accidental Death of an Anarchist) as Obergruppenfuhrer General Heinrich von Aeschelman
Jonathon Nielsen-Keen as Georg Jensen/Goran
Simon Chappell (Mammoth) as Major Ronald F. Hemingway
CREATIVES
Director Robert McWhir
Musical Compositions Aaron Clingham
Production Management Richard Lambert
Costumes Janet Huckle
Casting Daniel Lobo
Graphic design Steve Caplin
Producer LAMBCO Productions
Producer Josephine Buchan
Executive Producers/Underwriters Robert Zampetti and Roy Matlofsky