"Fires are becoming something of a problem, but Biedermann has it all under control. A respected member of the community with a loving wife and a flourishing business, he believes nothing can get to him. Being the great philanthrope, he is happy to fulfil his civic duty and give shelter to two new houseguests, and when they start filling the attic with petrol drums he'll help them wire the fuse." "Max Frisch's parable about our accommodating the very thing that will destroy us premiered at the Royal Court in 1961. The Arsonists was first presented in this translation by Alistair Beaton at the Royal Court on 1 November 2007.