Drama
Friedrich Durrenmatt, adapted by Maurice Valency
Characters: 25 male, 5 female, 2 children
Drop and wing; frags.
The Lunts chose this unforgettable play for their swan song. A wealthy woman returns to her debt ridden home town and offers a sum greater than they have ever imagined to help out. But there is a condition: she wants the life of a villager who years ago had caused her to be expelled from town in disgrace. Ringing denial of this absurd demand is followed by the gradual corruption of everyone in town. He is murdered and money is passed over his body to the town. The lady leaves with a fantastic entourage and with the coffin of her old lover. Voted best foreign play of the year by N.Y. Drama Critics Circle. "Stinging.... [with] astonishing power." N.Y. Herald Tribune. "A devastating drama." N.Y. Times.