Playing with Fire and

Midlife Crisis of Dionysus

20th, 21st and 22nd of May 2004

Playing with Fire by August Strindberg, one of Europe's most respected literary figures, wrote only three comedies of which this is one. Set in 1890's, in a Swedish holiday resort, we see a group of family and friends competing for the affections (or more!) of other members of the group. In particular, will the marriage of Knut and Kerstin, survive the arrival of Knut's friend, Axel, as all three “play with fire”?

The Midlife Crisis of Dionysus. Popular American writer, Garrison Keillor, wrote this playful romp in which Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, women and song, tries to come to terms with the male menopause.

Cast of Characters (Playing with Fire):

Knut - Mark Loveday
Kerstin - Melanie Zander
Mother - Sarah Blake
Father - Alastair McDonald
Adele - Lucy Edge
Axel - Rick Blake

Directed by David Andrews

Cast of Characters (The Midlife Crisis...)

Dionysus, the god of wine - Donald Phillips

A Nymph - Lucy Edge

…and a hairstylist

…and an airline clerk

…and a narrator

Ariadne (Dionysus’s wife) - Michele Zentar

…and a narrator

Gladys (muse of maturity) - Sarah Blake

…and Theros (a psychiatrist)

…and a narrator

The Guy (a satyr) - Bruno Sousa

…and an olive oil clerk

…and a doctor

…and a narrator

…and Zeus!!!

Directed by Alastair McDonald

Stage Manager Dick Waite

Stage Construction Nigel Link, Simon Allan, Rick Blake, Stefano de Padova, Mark Loveday, Adam Miller, Dick Waite, Henry Walls

Stage Artwork Anthony Crowson

Lighting and Sound Kevin Kewin Matt Denyer Stefano De Padova

Props and Costumes Patricia Bowen

Makeup Birgit Williams Michele Zentar

Production Alastair McDonald