The Power of Darkness

Play

Writers: Leo Tolstoy

Overview

Show Information

Category
Play
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1886
Genres
Drama, Tragedy
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
1880s, Russia, village
Cast Size
large
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal for
College/University, Community Theatre, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Theatre
Casting Notes

Includes adult, late teen, child, young adult, mature adult, early teen, elderly characters

Synopsis

Anìsya, the second wife of a Russian peasant, succumbs to the charms of Nikíta, a laborer on her farm. With Nikíta’s mother Matryóna, she plots to murder her sickly husband, claim his money, and marry Nikíta. However, Anìsya’s idyllic vision of a life with Nikíta is destroyed when her new husband begins to drink heavily, verbally and physically abuse her, and pursue liaisons with village girls (including Anìsya’s own stepdaughter). When the girl becomes pregnant, Nikíta, Anìsya, and Matryóna venture further into metaphoric darkness in order to save themselves from village judgment. But their lies cannot go on forever; despite the power of darkness, the truth always comes to light. A superb example of Russian Naturalism, Leo Tolstoy’s The Power of Darkness is a haunting and symbolic psychological exploration of what is most dark in human nature.

Lead Characters


The Power of Darkness guide sections