Schnitzlers masterpiece; La Ronde; shows a spectrum of social class from prostitutes to noblemen in a series of drily observed; loveless sexual encounters. Remembered by many as the basis of a famous film in 1950; the real notoriety of La Ronde goes back to 1900 when it was privately printed and subsequently banned. It was not performed until 1920 in Berlin; where anti-Semitic riots broke out; resulting in the arrest and trial of the cast and director; allegedly for obscenity. The controversy continued with David Hares adaptation; The Blue Room; which starred Nicole Kidman; at the Donmar Warehouse.This translation is by the playwright and critic Frank Marcus; who has also provided a full introduction to Schnitzlers life and work.
#134121 in eBooks 2013-12-06 2013-12-06File Name: B00HPUR37Q
Review
9 of 13 people found the following review helpful. Unpleasant topics; but ideologically importantBy Philip SamuelsThe plays of Bernard Shaw span many years and cover many topics. While many of Shaws works are entertaining as well as enlightening; the plays in this volume (written very early in his career) tackle complex issues that concern society. These plays force us to critically view how success in the world is judged. They demonstrate how any of us may unknowingly be an accomplice to or a participant in activities to which we stringently object on a moral basis. This is pertinent in society today! The works in this volume open our eyes. . .and we may not like what we see. In summary; the plays in this volume are important; although they will hopefully make the reader feel somewhat uncomfortable. A well planned anthology of Shaws work should be part of any college education
