Showing results by author "August Strindberg" in All Categories

Hailed by Arthur Miller as ‘the mad inventor of modern theatre’, Johan August Strindberg was a Swedish playwright, poet and novelist whose groundbreaking works mingled naturalism and psychology and paved the way for Expressionist drama. A prolific writer – penning over 60 plays, 19 novels and nine autobiographies – his turbulent life was marked by emotional conflict. This wide-ranging collection brings together 13 of his most important dramas and a semi-autobiographical ‘occult diary’, enhanced through stunning soundscapes and music composed by Strindberg himself.

At a secluded seaside hotel, Adi (Smith), a struggling painter, finds his creative spark reignited by Gustav (Schreiber), a magnetic stranger. Their connection is instant and consuming, but what begins as a chance encounter twists into something far darker when Gustav becomes intrigued by Adi’s wife, the dazzling Tekla (Siff). Talk into the night devolves into an intricate web of deception, seduction, and revelation, where the lives of all involved may be destroyed or transformed.

Although he achieved notable success as a novelist, poet, essayist, and painter, August Strindberg is best known today as one of the first and most significant masters of naturalist theatre. Among his many dramatic works are a number of one-act plays, four of which are presented in this recording. All of the plays feature a persistent theme in Strindberg's works: the inevitable disillusion that results from intense involvement in relationships, whether they be familial, romantic or circumstantial.

Miss Julie is probably the most famous play by the Swedish playwright August Strindberg, one of the founding fathers of naturalistic theater. In this claustrophobic drama, the interplay between social order and individual identity is explored in great detail. At the end the aristocratic Julie, goaded by her manipulative manservant, John, is faced with the ultimate decision: independence or annihilation.

Since its inception in the 19th Century photography has been a trusted source capturing both truth and reality. It cannot lie. Our eyes may deceive us, but the camera cannot. In this volume whilst our classic authors are at the early edge of photography’s development, they use it in ways that are both innovative and atmospheric as very often the camera and the photographer become a central part in many fascinating stories.

"The Red Room" (Swedish: "Röda rummet") is a satire of Stockholm society, it has frequently been described as the first modern Swedish novel. While receiving mixed reviews in Sweden, it was acclaimed in Denmark, where Strindberg was hailed as a genius. As a result of "The Red Room", Strindberg became famous throughout Scandinavia. Edvard Brandes wrote that it "makes the reader want to join the fight against hypocrisy and reaction".

Step into the haunting world of The Ghost Sonata (Spöksonaten), a mesmerizing three-act play by the renowned Swedish playwright August Strindberg. First staged at Strindbergs Intimate Theatre in Stockholm on January 21, 1908, this pivotal work marks a significant moment in the evolution of modernist drama. In this chamber play, Strindberg weaves a surreal narrative where the supernatural coexists with the mundane—ghosts wander in broad daylight, a stunning woman is ensnared in the form of a mummy hidden away in a closet, and a household cook drains all vitality from the meals before serving...

The Swedish playwright August Strindberg was one of the founding fathers of naturalistic theater. A feature of many of his plays is the minute dissection of attitude and motivation by individuals within tightly bound groups. As in the present drama, such relentless inspection of behavior often has drastic consequences. Thekla, married to the needy Adolf, has a surprise encounter with her former husband, the lordly Gustav. Or is it really a surprise?

Short stories have always been a sort of instant access into an author’s brain, their soul and heart. They can lift our lives into locations, people and experiences with a sweep of landscape, narration, feelings and emotions that is difficult to achieve elsewhere. In this volume we come up against the definition of Northern Europe. There are many, each with plausibility and each so obvious. So, here’s ours.

Auf der Suche nach den großen Antworten des Seins, des Lebens und aller Existenz erforscht der Ich-Erzähler wissenschaftliche und religiöse Disziplinen, prominente und weniger bekannte Teilgebiete derselbigen und stößt kontinuierlich auf unerklärliche Wunder und faszinierende Rätsel. Dämonen manifestieren sich, Ängste brechen aus, Erklärungen werden im Mantel dieser und jener Fachbereiche formuliert. Gleichzeitig versucht er Gold zu produzieren. Ist es Schicksal, dass sich mysteriöse Ereignisse in regelmäßigen Abständen ereignen oder nur eine Aneinanderreihung unbedeutender Zufälle?

"Han kom som ett yrväder en aprilafton och hade ett höganäskrus i en svångrem om halsen." När fastlänningen Carlsson kommer till hemsö för att hjälpa änkan Flod med sitt lantbruk har han höga ambitioner. Men det blir inte riktigt som han tänkt sig. Flods son Gusten tycker genast illa om Carlsson och deras relation blir allt sämre allt eftersom sommaren passerar. Samtidigt förälskar sig Carlsson i en av gårdens pigor men hans uppvaktning uppskattas inte och ansvaret för gården tynger honom.

In this series we try to offer up tried and trusted ‘Top Tens’ across many different themes and authors. But any anthology will immediately throw up the questions – Why that story? Why that author? In this volume the once forgotten literary backwaters of Scandinavia, and its hinterland, reveal the storied works of their own literature. Some names are familiar, some decidedly not. But each has literary talents and compelling narratives.

Dance of Death is a gripping two-part play by Swedish playwright August Strindberg, penned in 1900. It explores the unraveling of a marriage between Edgar, an artillery captain, and Alice, a former actress, as they become increasingly ensnared in their isolated, fortress-like home. The tension mounts as they manipulate and provoke one another, leading to the unexpected arrival of Curt, Alices cousin. This intrusion intensifies their already fraught dynamic, creating a tangled triangle that heightens the drama. The narrative further evolves in Part Two with the introduction of their children, ...

August Strindberg belongs to the same generation of authors as the Russian Chekhov and the Norwegian Ibsen. Strindberg stands at the crossroads of such decisive influences as those of Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Schiller, Zola, Byron, or Freud's precursors such as Bernheim. He absorbed the aesthetic trends of his time, particularly naturalism. Four of his short stories are presented in this audiobook: The German Lieutenant; Unwelcome; Over-refinement; Paul & Peter.

August Strindbergs Werke werden mit Recht dem Kanon der Welt-Literatur zugerechnet, weil sie das widerspiegeln, was dem jeweiligen Zeitgeist entspricht und weil ihre Erzählungen von dem handeln, was von zeitloser Ästhetik und Würde ist.

Med strålende humor og sikker sagkundskab fortæller August Strindberg om dagligdag og fester blandt den stockholmske skærgårds ejendommelige befolkning. Det er praktiske, handlekraftige mennesker der nærmest opfatter kærligheden som en slags naturkraft og religionen som et udtryk for sæd og skik uden større indflydelse på deres liv.

In There are Crimes and Crimes, we follow Maurice, a promising playwright who, buoyed by his confidence, proposes to his mistress, Jeanne. However, when he encounters Henriette, the alluring mistress of his friend, his passion ignites in ways he never expected. Their mutual attraction spirals into a whirlwind romance that quickly becomes chaotic and dangerous. As tragedy unfolds, both Maurice and Henriette find themselves entangled in a web of murder accusations that threaten to shatter their lives forever. This gripping tale explores the themes of passion, tragedy, redemption, and the quest ...

Dream Play (Swedish Ett drömspel), penned by the renowned Swedish playwright August Strindberg in 1901, made its debut in Stockholm on April 17, 1907. This celebrated work is regarded as one of Strindbergs most influential dramas and serves as a pivotal precursor to both dramatic Expressionism and Surrealism. The story follows Agnes, the daughter of the Vedic god Indra, as she descends to Earth to witness the trials and tribulations of humanity. Throughout her journey, she encounters a diverse cast of around 40 characters, many of whom symbolize various aspects of human existence—such as ...

Charles Dickens ist ein Könner der Unterhaltung mit Tiefgang, Humor und kritischem Engagement, sein Roman „Oliver Twist", vielfach verfilmt, bleibt ein Standardwerk der Moderne. Das gilt auch für das naturalistische Drama „Fräulein Julie" von August Strindberg aus dem Jahr 1888, in dem der Schwede den Sprengstoff des Herzens und den Sprengstoff des Klassenkampfes auf der Bühne explodieren lässt.

The Father is a gripping naturalistic drama penned by the renowned Swedish playwright August Strindberg. At the heart of this intense narrative lies the tumultuous conflict between a Captain and his wife, Laura, as they grapple over the future of their daughter, Bertha. In a desperate bid for sole custody, Laura devises a plan to convince the Captain that he is losing his sanity. Join us as we delve into the emotional and psychological battles that unfold in this powerful exploration of family dynamics. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)