Strindberg in the Digital Age
A series of events marking the centenary of August Strindberg's death.
2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the death of the great Swedish playwright, author and artist August Strindberg. In November this year, thanks to the generous support of the Swedish Institute, the department of Scandinavian Studies will be commemorating the centenary with a series of events including elements of performance, workshop and academic conference, bringing together the students, staff and general public of several Scottish university towns.
The project will culminate in a day of student-led productions of Strindberg’s drama on the 16th of November in Summerhall’s appropriately named ‘Red Room’. Three groups of students from the universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews will each perform a shorter play or extract from Strindberg’s repertoire which they feel best reflects contemporary issues. Afterwards, the performers will join the audience in discussing the demands and successes of each production, and exploring ideas for future development - leading to the preparation of three short reports to inform a debate on public attitudes towards Strindberg in the 21st Century.
The workshop will be followed by a day-conference in Faculty Room South, David Hume Tower, on the 17th of November, further addressing the reception of Strindberg’s drama in the Digital Age. Invited speakers from the UK and Sweden, including Stefan Bohman, the director of the Strindberg Museum in Stockholm, will outline the challenges of maintaining and developing Strindberg’s legacy in the English-speaking world, informing a panel debate involving academics and representatives of the student groups.
Tickets are free but limited.
Please email alan.macniven@ed.ac.uk to reserve a place.