The National Theatre's production titled "The Language of the Third Reich?" attempts to adapt the diaries of Victor Klemperer, a Jewish scholar who documented the gradual erosion of human dignity in Germany during the rise of the Nazis. While the play captures the profound language used by Klemperer, critics argue it does not translate the emotional weight of his experiences into the theatrical performance.

Klemperer's diaries detail his personal experiences from 1918 to 1959, highlighting his challenges as a Jewish individual in a progressively oppressive regime. As he faces increasing alienation from academic life—illustrated by dwindling attendance at his lectures and the betrayal of colleagues—he inevitably loses his job and faces forced relocation to a designated area for Jews. The production's strength, according to some reviews, lies primarily in the exceptional strength of Klemperer’s language rather than in its adaptation to the stage.

Critics lament that the production ultimately becomes more of a museum piece than a critical exploration of the historical context and the myths surrounding the language of the Third Reich. The failure to infuse the raw emotional truths from Klemperer's writing into the performance is seen as a missed opportunity to reflect on contemporary issues relating to human dignity and morality, questionably relegating the powerful messages of the diaries to mere historical artifacts without further examination or engagement from the audience.