A Dream Play is a complex and confusing story that can entrap the audience with twists, turns and unexpected changes in events.
This play was written by August Strindberg and focuses on the main character Agnes, who is not human but a descendant of the gods sent to Earth to understand human life.
The play was performed and produced by Longwood Theatre majors with all levels of experience. Those students who didn’t have a role in the play had a huge part in designing and creating the props, costumes and set as they put in long hours every week up until the opening night. Even though this was not opening night, there was still a decent turnout and many people appeared excited about the play.
From the beginning, the audience was left questioning what was occurring as several strobe lights and a haze machine added to the play’s mysterious atmosphere. The play opened with Agnes exploring the different lives of the people she came into contact with. These included a contamination worker, a lost soldier and others struggling with everyday life.
Suddenly, the play took a strange turn when the characters started to investigate a door that seemed to lead nowhere. These strange events recurred until the end when the secret behind the door is revealed to be nothing at all - just a device to stir up your thoughts and keep you thinking.
The mystery behind this secret door left the theater goers in some confusion as they must now figure out what the entire play is about. But perhaps that is the appeal of this particular playwright and what he was looking for his characters to portray.
The audience is not just watching the play, but playing a part in figuring out what is really going on and the true meaning behind the play. I believe this play is one of the more interesting and well- designed theater productions I have seen a in a while and I recommend it to anyone looking for a thrill.
So if you’re looking for an afternoon where you can go watch something that will make you think, A Dream Play ,produced by the Longwood Theater Company, is the place for you. It will leave you confused, curious and almost help you to appreciate the complexity that is human nature and how we live our daily lives.
This is the play’s final weekend and performances will be held Thursday through Sunday. Tickets are six dollars online, or at the Box Office with your Longwood ID.