(For performance by Professional, Community, and College/University groups.)
(suggested by the stories of “The Ring of The Neibelung”)
Beyond its depiction of sordid, mean spirited lives–a nevertheless needful ‘value contrast,’ as artists put it, shadow underscoring the light—the Nibelung legend forcefully portrays a redemptive aspect of human life. Siegfried’s infatuation with Hilde (Brunhilde) has been, while whole souled, also blind, as we in fact often say ‘love’ is. He even kills for it. The one character who approaches Christlike self-renunciation in others’ behalf is Gudrun, and, despite Siegfried’s truly fallen state, he learns from her example. She is in a sense his savior—like Beatrice is Dante’s and Margareta Faust’s–and his own Liebestod is a necessary ‘blood atonement’ that emulates Gudrun’s decency and virtue. It is this that makes the tale so significant in both German letters and for Wagner’s audiences. This play version is an attempt to translate the celebrated Teutonic myth into more identifiably everyday human terms.The classic story of Siegfried and Brunhilde is transferred to a later day when, after the Second World War, Germany was split apart by the Allies in the name of peace and the Cold War settled upon us. In 1957, Mother Nibelung and her two freedom-seeking sons are searching for riches and for legitimacy. They find the hope for their dream’s fulfillment in the person of Siegfried, whom, through political and legal coercion, they dupe into marrying Gudrun, their teenage daughter and sibling. The fates and other mysterious powers also rule the lives of Siegfried and his manipulative lover Hilde. Everything culminates in a web of murder and deceit, compulsion and duty, love and need.
PLAY DETAILS:
- 7M 2W 1Teenboy 1Teengirl
- Unit set that includes 2 exteriors and 1 interior
- About 2 hours
- Order #3106
Available for production now.
PERUSAL COPIES
- The PERUSAL PAGES file for Siegfried Idyll will be available by clicking SiegfriedIdyllPERUSAL The PDF file is the first act of the three-act-play and all other pertinent information about the play.
- This and other plays by Thomas F. Rogers may be read in the new publication: The Plays of Thomas F. Rogers Volume 2 : Personal Journeys, is available containing SEVEN titles: Frére Lawrence, Gentle Barbarian, The Immortal, The Seagull, Siegfried Idyll, The Wager, and A Good Man Is Hard To Find (a short play), all dealing with personal struggles, choice, accountability and consequences. The entire Volume 2 is available HERE for $16.00 (saving $3.99 off the list price).
- Volume 1 of The Plays of Thomas F. Rogers : Perestroika and Glasnost (the FIVE plays included are: Charades, Crime and Punishment, God’s Fools, The Idiot, and The Second Priest. You can purchase the FIVE play volume HERE and get to read Tom Rogers’ plays about Russia before, during and after Communism.
- EMAIL us for rights and information. Be sure to give us anticipated performance dates and the address of your group and, if different, your theatre. Please also include a contact name and phone number.
PURCHASE REHEARSAL MATERIALS:
(Any PDF purchased will be emailed to your email address — if you need to provide that to us (not the one on your PayPal account?), email us. CDs will be mailed to a snail mail address. Do not purchase rehearsal materials or pay for royalties until you have performance clearance.)
- Script in PDF format — Order #3106a : $20.00 (from which you will be authorized to copy for your production)
- First Performance Amateur/Educational Royalty — Order #3106d : $75
- Second Performance Amateur/Educational Royalty — Order #3106e : $65
- Professional Royalties will be quoted upon application
PRODUCTIONS
- Coming Soon
BILLING CREDITS
The following is how the credits should read in all programs, posters, fliers, handbills and other promotional advertising for the show:
Siegfried Idyll
a play by
Thomas F. Rogers
NOTE: The names of the Playwright(s), Composer, Lyricist, and Bookwriter shall be equal in size, type, coloring, boldness, and prominence. No billing shall appear in type larger or more prominent than the billing to the Authors except for the title of the play.
ALSO:
THIS NOTICE MUST APPEAR IN ALL PROGRAMS, ON ALL POSTERS AND PUBLICITY MATERIALS AND INTERNET ADVERTISING/WEBPAGES FOR THE PLAY:
“Siegfried Idyll is presented through special arrangement with Leicester Bay Theatricals. All authorized materials are also supplied by LBT, www.leicesterbaytheatricals.com”
From the Catalog of
