Overview

Synopsis

Claire Zachanassian, the world famous billionaire, is returning to her small hometown of Güllen after 45 years away. The town was once a thriving, prosperous area, but has since fallen on hard times. The impoverished Güllenites look to Claire as their only hope to save them from ruin. Her offer, though, comes with a price: justice. Claire will donate one billion dollars to the town if--and only if--they kill Alfred Ill, Claire’s former lover who abandoned and betrayed her all those years ago. Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s The Visit is a piercing, darkly comic story of a scorned woman’s ultimate revenge, exploring what dark deeds a desperate man can be pushed to.

Show Information

Book
Friedrich Dürrenmatt
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1956
Genres
Drama, Dark Comedy
Settings
Contemporary, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
The small, impoverished town of Güllen, The present
Cast Size
large
Licensor
Samuel French
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Adult, Young Adult, Child, Early Teen, Late Teen, Elderly Characters

Context

The Visit was adapted to a musical by Kander and Ebb in 2001.

Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Claire Zachanassian

Lead

Female

Spoken

Alfred Ill

Lead

Male

Spoken

Mayor

Supporting

Either Gender

Spoken

Teacher

Supporting

Either Gender

Spoken

Pastor

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Policeman

Supporting

Either Gender

Spoken

Boby

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Roby and Toby (2)

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Koby and Loby (2)

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Husbands VII-IX

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Men (4)

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Matilda Ill

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Karl Ill

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Ottilie Ill

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Painter

Featured

Either Gender

Spoken

Bailiff

Featured

Either Gender

Spoken

Train Supervisor

Featured

Either Gender

Spoken

Ladies (2)

Featured

Female

Spoken

Journalists (2)

Featured

Either Gender

Spoken

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Spoken

Songs

Sorry, we currently do not have content for this section.

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Quote Analysis

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Guide Written By:

Marielle Renée Rousseau

Marielle Renée Rousseau