Overview
Synopsis
One of the most significant plays of the Spanish Golden Age, La vida es sueno (Life is a Dream) is an allegory about the conflict between fate and free will. King Basilio of Poland - frightened by omens and prophecies - has kept his son Segismund locked away in a tower for the prince’s entire life while telling the people of Poland that the boy died in infancy. But now Basilio is skeptical of the omens, and wants to test his son by bringing him to court to see how Segismund will react to his newfound freedom. Will Segismund be a tyrant? A just and forgiving ruler? What will be the fate of Poland? With many translations and adaptations, La vida es sueno is a powerful investigation into the nature of the human condition and how dreams challenge the certainty of reality.
Show Information
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 4
- First Produced
- 1635
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Period
- Time & Place
- Poland, 1600s
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Religious Groups, Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Elderly, Young Adult, Late Teen, Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
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Lead |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Male |
|
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Male |
|
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Featured |
Male |
|
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Featured |
Male |
|
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|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
|
Songs
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
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress