NT : What's On : Productions : The Enchantment
The Enchantment
by Victoria Benedictsson
in a new version by Clare Bayley
The Times, Guardian, Independent, Time Out
‘A modern classic of the power of erotic attraction… Played with knife-edge intensity.’
Sunday Express
One sunny day in Paris, Gustave Alland, famous artist and philanderer, visits Louise Strandberg – convalescing in her brother's studio – and casts her effortlessly under his spell. In a vain attempt to escape, she exiles herself to her provincial hometown in Sweden. But a letter propels her back to Paris and into his arms. And for a brief moment, before the horror, ecstasy is hers.
Victoria Benedictsson, groundbreaking Swedish novelist and playwright, was the inspiration for Strindberg's Miss Julie. She had a scandalous affair which led to her suicide soon after completing the play, in 1888.
Read more on Victoria Benedictsson and The Enchantment:
Clare Bayley in The Independent
Germaine Greer in The Guardian
Listen to Clare Bayley's interview on Woman’s Hour on 30 July
(The NT is not responsible for the content on third party websites)
British Premiere
From 24 July
Cast credits:
Louise Strandberg : Nancy Carroll
Mrs Knutson : Judith Coke
Erna : Niamh Cusack
Henrik Ryberg : Edward Davenport
Mr Moller : Patrick Drury
The Concierge : Avril Elgar
Miss Knutson : Madeleine Herrington
The Postman : Ray Newe
Lilly : Claudia Renton
Botilda : Marlene Sidaway
Viggo : Hugh Skinner
Gustave Alland : Zubin Varla
Production credits:
Director: Paul Miller
Designer: Simon Daw
Lighting Designer: Bruno Poet
Music: David Shrubsole
photo: Lady Clementina Hawarden/V&A Images/Victoria and Albert Museum
The Enchantment finished on: 1 November 2007
