 The play partially drew on the work of British author David Irving, later known as a Holocaust denier.Irving and Hochhuth remained long-standing friends.Controversy arose in Britain in 1967 when the intended premiere at Britain's National Theatre Company was cancelled, due to the intervention of the National Theatre board, despite the support for the play by literary manager Kenneth Tynan and Laurence Olivier, under pressure from Joan Plowright, his wife.