Winner
of the Henrico Theatre Company (VA)
national One-Act Playwriting Competition
Winner
of the National Playwriting competition
conducted by The University of Arkansas
Chosen for:
Mark Twain Masquers Playwriting Competition, CT
and
Wings Theatre Company New Plays, NYC
An Archetypal Battle of the Sexes a one-act play by Jan Henson Dow & Robert Schroeder
At rise, Julie and Jean are rehearsing a scene from Strindberg’s classic drama Miss Julie.. The scene is being played as originally written, but when the script calls for Miss Julie to take the razor and commit suicide because she has gone to bed with her father’s valet, the actress playing Julie rebels --- she has no intention of playing so ridiculous a response to a few minutes of sexual indulgence.
She convinces her fellow-actor and director that it is long past time this outdated script was rewritten --- whereupon she and Jean launch into a series of improvs so outrageously contrary to the author’s intentions that Strindberg is aroused from his grave. He personally interrupts Julie’s and Jean’s sacrilege, and a Strindbergian battle of the sexes ensues, enhanced by the differences between 19th- and 20th century views.
After multitudinous twistings and turnings, an indestructible Miss Julie leads a resigned Jean and a consciousness-raised Strindberg into the 21st century.
(2 m., 1 f., suggested set)
