Explore this Show

Overview

Synopsis

August Strindberg creates a morally bankrupt couple trapped in a crumbling marriage in The Dance of Death, Part 1. Despite preparing to celebrate their silver anniversary, the Captain and his wife Alice seem to exist only to torment each other. Alice, a former actress, longs for a life of luxury and society. But the Captain, in failing physical and mental health, does his best to relive his glory days of the military before he is removed from his post at the fort. When Alice’s cousin Curt arrives for a visit, the couple’s antagonistic battle of wills reaches a violent peak. At times darkly comic, at others macabre and melancholy, The Dance of Death, Part 1 is a fine example of Strindberg’s masterful dramatic symbolism.

The characters reach their final fates in the sequel, The Dance of Death, Part 2.

Show Information

Book
August Strindberg
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1901
Genres
Drama
Settings
Period, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
a fortress tower, 1900s, an island in Sweden
Cast Size
small
Orchestra Size
None
Dancing
None
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Adult, Young Adult, Elderly Characters

Context

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

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Captain

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Alice

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Curt

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Jenny

Featured

Female

Non-singer

The Sentry

Featured

Male

Silent

The Old Woman

Featured

Female

Non-singer

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:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress