Strindberg Players Offer 'Dance of Death'

August Strindberg, Sweden's foremost dramatist, used a pending silver anniversary to show his mastery at portraying intriguing characters. Dance of Death is a biting, deadly but also funny verbal duel between an artillery captain and his wife - modeled on Strindberg's sister and brother-in-law - facing their quarter-century anniversary in self-imposed isolation in a fortress off the west coast of Sweden. Evenly matched, they spend their evenings in mutual blame and game playing until an unexpected visitor disrupts the status quo and ups the stakes for them both. More surprises await the audience.

This concert reading of a new translation by Anne-Charlotte Harvey, professor emerita of theatre at San Diego State University, is produced by TASSLA (The August Strindberg Society of Los Angeles). Noted for her long interest in and extensive research regarding Swedish American culture, Harvey has received numerous awards and honors, including from the King of Sweden and the former American Scandinavian Foundation of Thousand Oaks. TASSLA, a nonprofit organization of theatre and film industry professionals, is dedicated to presenting the works and teachings of Strindberg.

Admission is free. Sponsored by the Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation and CLU's Theatre Arts Department. A post-performance reception will be held at the Scandinavian Center, 26 Faculty St.

Photo: Anne-Charlotte Harvey