Product Description

The famous 'daisy-chain' play of sexual coupling, set in Vienna in the 1890s. The play is a series of ten scenes depicting couples in different sexual liaisons. Each of the ten characters appears in two adjacent scenes, forming an endless chain of sexual links across all the layers of Viennese society. Arthur Schnitzler's Reigen (its original title, conventionally translated as La Ronde) was written in Vienna in 1896/7 but, because of its scandalous subject-matter, was not performed in full until 1920. It has been adapted often (notably by David Hare as The Blue Room), and filmed several times (including by Max Ophuls, 1950; Roger Vadim, 1964; and Otto Schenk, 1973). Translated and introduced by Stephen Unwin and Peter Zombory-Moldovan.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #274906 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Customer Reviews

A brilliant play about sex, love, and the differences between the two
This is an intriguing drama, which involves ten different characters (five male, five female), and the sexual games they play in turn-of-the-century Vienna.

It takes the form of ten duologues, opening with a seduction scene between 'the prostitute' and 'the soldier'. They flirt, argue, lie, and finally have sex. The scene ends there, and the following is between the soldier and 'the chambermaid', who is in turn seduced by the soldier. She goes on to seduce the 'young gentleman' in the next scene; he seduces 'the young wife'...etc. The play goes round in a 'sexual merry-go-round' until we eventually meet the prostitute again.

It is a story of sexual promiscuity, about the 'facade' of seduction, and the danger of confusing sex with love. It also presents an interesting idea about the nature of sex: that it is sex, not death, that is the great 'leveller' - this is a play where chambermaids sleep with gentlemen, prostitutes with counts.

It is also, of course, brilliantly funny, sharply observed, and always pacey drama.