Strindberg's name is familiar to almost everybody interested in the theatre, but almost nobody in America has seen any of his plays. Joe Martin, the translator of this English-language version, wants to change all that. Producers neglect Stindberg, Martin believes, because of the mistaken attitude that his works are gloomy, depressing, difficult to stage, difficult to understand. "We would like to convince creative theatre people that The Ghost Sonata is exciting and manageable despite the highly unusual nature of the script." Martin said. He added, "Our production was an alternative theatre production with minimalist sets in a relatively small theatre."

The Ghost Sonata is about two men who enter a mysterious house inhabited by a strange family. Strindberg describes his script as unmasking the secrets that exist in every household. This translation was made for the Wasington, D.C., Strindberg Festival and ran for five weeks with acclaim from audiences and reviewers at the American Showcase Theatre in Alexandria, Va.

Martin's fresh approach to Strindberg's work won acclaim from audiences and reviewers: The American Showcase Theatre staged a fascinating version of the classic The Ghost Sonata as part of the Strindberg Festival...The choice of The Ghost Sonata was fortuitous. It is mature August Strindberg in top artistic form...deftly written, provocative and fast-paced with forceful images and a wonderful sense of symbolism...The presentation includes a marvelously appropriate score...The music is eerie and unnerving, and at times bears the same mad resemblance to a soundtrack that the characters bear to real people. And what haunting parodies of people they are! The actors give you a whole world of memorable portraits to carry home in your mind.—Performing Arts News Magazine.

3 acts; Street and interior set; 19th century clothing. The optional musical score by Anna Larson is included in the playbook.

Ingmar Berman has produced The Ghost Sonata three times. Your audiences will never forget your production.

See also: Mystery, Murder, and Mayhem