Mary Stuart (Oberon Modern Plays) (Oberon Classics)

Friedrich Schiller and Robert Icke

ISBN 10: 1786820250 / ISBN 13: 9781786820259

Published by Oberon Books, 2016

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Synopsis:

Two queens. One in power. One in prison. It's all in the execution.

Schiller's political tragedy takes us behind the scenes of British history's famous rivalry between Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. Written in verse and based on historical sources, Schiller's play imagines the queens' lives - one in court, the other in prison - surrounded by staff and servants. Their imagined meeting, before Mary's execution, is passionate and enthralling.

Robert Icke's lean version condenses the action, cutting the cast to twelve, whilst retaining the play's symmetrical structure and tense atmosphere.

In an exciting twist, the first production had two actors learn the roles of both queens, and their roles were decided at each performance by the toss of a coin. Adding a further duality to the play, this also allowed the first word of the evening to anticipate its ending:'Heads'.

About the Authors: Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller (1759-1805) ranks as one of the greatest figures in European drama and literature. That Verdi based four of his operas on Schiller's plays is not surprising (I masnadieri, Giovanna d'Arco, Luisa Miller, Don Carlos). Both men were deeply preoccupied with the battle for political freedon, projecting the moral victory of the doomed individual over the power of the immutable State as potent historical drama. Schiller's nobility of theatrical concept perfectly suited the energy and majesty of Verdi's scores. Yet in the English-speaking world Schiller's works are comparatively little known to theatregoers. The dedication of the renowned Glasgow-based Citizens' Company and the inspired decision to present the plays alongside Verdi's operas at the Edinburgh International Festival have gone a long way to remedy this neglect. The fifth play included in this edition was the source fro the opera by Donizetti (Maria Stuarda). Also translated for the Citizens' Company by Robert David MacDonald, Schiller's 'Mary Stuart' is acknowldged masterpiece.

Robert Icke is a writer and director. His recent productions include Children of Nora, Oedipus (ITA) and The Doctor (West End, Almeida). His other work at the Almeida includes adapting and directing The Wild Duck, Mary Stuart (also West End and national tour), Uncle Vanya, Oresteia (also West End) and 1984 (co-created with Duncan Macmillan, also Broadway, West End, national and international tours). As director, his other productions include Hamlet (also West End and screened on BBC2), The Fever and Mr Burns. www.roberticke.com

Bibliographic Details

Title: Mary Stuart (Oberon Modern Plays) (Oberon ...
Publisher: Oberon Books
Publication Date: 2016
Binding: Paperback
Condition: Used; Very Good