One act (approximately 50 minutes). 5M, 2W. Performed under the title Suicidal Romance, March 1986, Yale Cabaret and January 1987, Perry Street Theater, New York. HEINRICH VON KLEIST HENRIETTE VOGEL FRIEDRICH VOGEL ERNST PEGUILHEN HIRED GIRL PROSECUTOR DOCTOR FORENSIC SURGEON (optional)   Setting: In and around Berlin, November 1811.   This is the oldest play here, written when I was at Yale Drama. It’s a light, romantic fantasia about Kleist’s suicide pact with Henriette Vogel. The double suicide is reenacted in an inquest at the beginning of the play, a parody of Prussian efficiency and rationality which does not convince Henriette’s widower, Friedrich. The rest of the play is structured in flashbacks as Friedrich tries to come to grips with his loss and the strange shared passion of his wife and the poet.   excerpt Wannsee_excerpt.htmlshapeimage_2_link_0

Paying my respects at Kleist’s memorial by the Kleiner Wannsee, Berlin

All Contents © 2008 by Cary Barney. All Rights Reserved. home Home.htmlshapeimage_5_link_0