Marital Toxicity
“We are surrounded by morons.”
Edgar
August Strindberg considered Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House a feminist play. No one could call Dance of Death a feminist play but it isn’t too kind about men either. Strindberg seems to genuinely detest his fellow men and women too. One time director of the National Theatre, Richard Eyre has adapted Dance of Death and directs his version at the exceptional Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond.
His casting is impeccable with the luminescent Lisa Dillon as Alice the embittered wife and Will Keen an actor whose rage is simply terrifying as Edgar the Captain. Geoffrey Streatfeild is the innocent visitor Kurt, away for twenty years, who is trapped into the conflict in this island household. Set now in 1918 during the Spanish Flu pandemic, the Swedish island where Edgar is in charge is a quarantine station to stop the spread of the disease. Kurt has been sent to oversee the quarantine arrangements.
Initially, well not just initially, Edgar and Alice squabble and snipe at each other like a pair of fish wives. The bile and invective that pours from their lips is stultifying. Their body language shows how much they detest each other, confident that they are alone and unobserved. As Edgar lists those people he hates, we learn of their total isolation.
They don’t use their telephone because their calls are listened in on but instead use a teleprinter tape to communicate with the mainland. They do not get on with their neighbours nor the local doctor. Their children do not live with them because Edgar and Alice have each poisoned the children against the other parent. When the door bell is rung, they realise their housekeeper might have left as well as the maid. Both servants couldn’t stay in this unhappy household.
As Kurt arrives, both Alice and Edgar momentarily show some bonhomie for him in welcome; of course this is an act and it isn’t long before they drop their cover. Kurt also doesn’t see his children because of an acrimonious divorce, for some of which Edgar is to blame. Every so often the French windows fly open as the storm outside gets stronger and the cold and rain enter the room. There is period furniture and costumes. Edgar’s military helmet has to be seen to be believed but the uniforms are authentic looking. John Leonard’s sound scape adds atmosphere and Peter Mumford’s lighting keeps everything dark but visible.
Edgar and Alice have not divorced; they are bound together in co-dependency and spite for each other. After Kurt’s arrival Edgar dances the Dance of the Boyars, a frenetic, circular dance while Alice plays the piano hoping the exertion will kill him. Edgar goes into a catatonic trance where he remains motionless for a few minutes and Kurt tries to help him. Despite the relentless venom, I didn’t find this play tedious because of the tremendous acting and direction. Assuredly seeing it will make you grateful for your own existence.
Editor of TheatreVibe.co.uk
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Production Notes
Dance of Death
Written by August Strindberg
Adapted and Directed by Richard Eyre
Cast
Starring:
Lisa Dillon
Will Keen
Geoffrey Streatfeild
Creatives
Director: Richard Eyre
Designer: Ashley Martin-Davies
Choreographer: Scarlett Mackmin
Lighting Designer: Peter Mumford
Sound Director: John Leonard
Information
Running Time: Two hours including an interval
Booking to 7th March 2026
Theatre:
Orange Tree Theatre
Rail/Tube: Richmond
Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge
at the Orange Tree
on 6th February 2026