The Blue Room

A 1998 play by David Hare.

The original text
Adapted from Der Reigen written by Arthur Schnitzler and more usually known by the French translation La Ronde. La Ronde scrutinizes the sexual morals and class ideology of its day through a series of encounters between pairs of characters (shown before or after a sexual encounter). By choosing characters across all levels of society, the play offers social commentary on how sexual contact transgresses boundaries of class.

Translations and adaptations
"This adaptation of Schnitzler's play, called The Blue Room'', transfers the action from Vienna to 'one of the great cities of the world, in the present day'. The characters change accordingly, the soldier becomes a cab driver, the parlour maid becomes an au pair, etc... Hare's major difference from the original piece is the idea of performing it as a two-person show. Hare states himself that he was not the first person to do so. In 1981 when the theatrical rights fell temporarily out of copyright several stage versions were crafted and performed. Otherwise Hare's adaptation is not far from the original." '' Wikipedia

Performance history in South Africa
Staged in October 1999 in the Rex Garner Theatre at the Alhambra Theatre, directed by Geoffrey Hyland, with Brian Heydenrych and Lara Bye.

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