August Strindberg Translations
Mr. Bengt's Wife
by August Strindberg
First English translation by Malin Tybåhl Malin and Laurence Carr
American Premiere in its First English Language Translation:
produced by The August Strindberg Repertory Theatre in residence
at the Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond Street, New York City.
September 13-29, 2013
Robert Greer, Artistic Director
Production directed by Craig Baldwin
Synopsis:
Mr. Bengt’s Wife is the passionate story of Margit, an orphan and rebellious novice who breaks her convent vows to marry her “Knight”, Lord Bengt, a wealthy landowner. Her husband’s fortunes soon dwindle, and she seeks her freedom from her approaching poverty. As her marriage dissolves. she is hotly pursued by the convent Priest, and a childhood friend who is now the Bailiff of the town. Her love/hate relationship with Bengt also continues, adding to Margit’s personal revolution with 19th century society’s view of women and the emerging feminist movement. Seeking to end her life, Margit finds herself a “new woman”, who will engage with men, women and society on her own terms. Mr. Bengt’s Wife is Strindberg’s rebuttal to Henrik Ibsen’s, A Doll’s House, interweaving scenes of realism and dreamscape into a powerful dramatic work from one of the masters of modernism.
Words of Praise for Mr. Bengt’s Wife
“A Strindberg Rarity—Mr. Bengt’s Wife--An Answer to Ibsen’s A Doll’s House”
“Mr. Bengt’s Wife, in its American premiere (translated by Laurence Carr and Malin Tybahl) treated me to an insightful view of a master in his early development. A no-holes-barred tale of hysteria, gender expectations and personal redemption, it is a mirror opposite of the mature and organized Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. . . . The play is still ground-breaking, one of the true classics of progressive theatre.
Mr. Bengt’s Wife is a delirious collection of scenes boasting a lyricism approaching madness, with a heightened Shakespearian influence running through its modern language. Bengt is a transitional piece, like one of a great composer finding his voice. And it is a glorious voice he is crafting.
The work is deeply emotional—ultimately leading toward a human conclusion. It has a stylized, episodic element to it, almost dream-like. Directed by Craig Baldwin, the piece was allowed to breathe, but always moved forward in its action. Kersti Bryan, well suited to the demanding role of Margit, never missed a beat, transforming herself from the high-flying, overly optimistic girl to the bitter and unforgiving wife and then back again, prompting us to ask if she is dangerously unstable or merely a multifaceted woman.
Melody Breyer-Grell, The Huffington Post, 9/19/13
Also listed in the Theatre “Good Odds” column (with a production photo).
Time Out Magazine, New York City, September, 2013
First English translation by Malin Tybåhl Malin and Laurence Carr
American Premiere in its First English Language Translation:
produced by The August Strindberg Repertory Theatre in residence
at the Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond Street, New York City.
September 13-29, 2013
Robert Greer, Artistic Director
Production directed by Craig Baldwin
Synopsis:
Mr. Bengt’s Wife is the passionate story of Margit, an orphan and rebellious novice who breaks her convent vows to marry her “Knight”, Lord Bengt, a wealthy landowner. Her husband’s fortunes soon dwindle, and she seeks her freedom from her approaching poverty. As her marriage dissolves. she is hotly pursued by the convent Priest, and a childhood friend who is now the Bailiff of the town. Her love/hate relationship with Bengt also continues, adding to Margit’s personal revolution with 19th century society’s view of women and the emerging feminist movement. Seeking to end her life, Margit finds herself a “new woman”, who will engage with men, women and society on her own terms. Mr. Bengt’s Wife is Strindberg’s rebuttal to Henrik Ibsen’s, A Doll’s House, interweaving scenes of realism and dreamscape into a powerful dramatic work from one of the masters of modernism.
Words of Praise for Mr. Bengt’s Wife
“A Strindberg Rarity—Mr. Bengt’s Wife--An Answer to Ibsen’s A Doll’s House”
“Mr. Bengt’s Wife, in its American premiere (translated by Laurence Carr and Malin Tybahl) treated me to an insightful view of a master in his early development. A no-holes-barred tale of hysteria, gender expectations and personal redemption, it is a mirror opposite of the mature and organized Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. . . . The play is still ground-breaking, one of the true classics of progressive theatre.
Mr. Bengt’s Wife is a delirious collection of scenes boasting a lyricism approaching madness, with a heightened Shakespearian influence running through its modern language. Bengt is a transitional piece, like one of a great composer finding his voice. And it is a glorious voice he is crafting.
The work is deeply emotional—ultimately leading toward a human conclusion. It has a stylized, episodic element to it, almost dream-like. Directed by Craig Baldwin, the piece was allowed to breathe, but always moved forward in its action. Kersti Bryan, well suited to the demanding role of Margit, never missed a beat, transforming herself from the high-flying, overly optimistic girl to the bitter and unforgiving wife and then back again, prompting us to ask if she is dangerously unstable or merely a multifaceted woman.
Melody Breyer-Grell, The Huffington Post, 9/19/13
Also listed in the Theatre “Good Odds” column (with a production photo).
Time Out Magazine, New York City, September, 2013