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Shooting Rats, Other Plays and Poems
This volume contains some of the more controversial and personal works produced by Peter Turrini, who has come to be recognized today as one of the leading Austrian dramatists. His first drama, Shooting Rats, was written in 1967, when Turrini, fed up with life as an advertising copy editor, fled into "exile" on an isolated Greek island. The play, with its theme of alienation from the consumer society, was an instant success and has since appeared on stages throughout Europe.
Infanticide (1972) continues the theme of alienation, intensified to the point of murder. Turrini explores the heart of an unfortunate young woman who paradoxically is driven to kill her infant child in order to feel like a human being.
In Death and the Devil (1990) Turrini confronts his audience with the most controversial of his plays. A disillusioned priest sets out on a journey, seeking to discover Sin. His self-crucifixion and death end the quest in a highly symbolic and for some, scandalous fashion.
The final play, The Siege of Vienna (1995), like a number of his other dramas, treats contemporary social conditions in Austria.
The poems of A Few Steps Back (1980) are much more personal than Turrini's dramas. They show the man behind the writer and reveal the autobiographical element that runs through all of the writings of this socially engaged author.
Infanticide (1972) continues the theme of alienation, intensified to the point of murder. Turrini explores the heart of an unfortunate young woman who paradoxically is driven to kill her infant child in order to feel like a human being.
In Death and the Devil (1990) Turrini confronts his audience with the most controversial of his plays. A disillusioned priest sets out on a journey, seeking to discover Sin. His self-crucifixion and death end the quest in a highly symbolic and for some, scandalous fashion.
The final play, The Siege of Vienna (1995), like a number of his other dramas, treats contemporary social conditions in Austria.
The poems of A Few Steps Back (1980) are much more personal than Turrini's dramas. They show the man behind the writer and reveal the autobiographical element that runs through all of the writings of this socially engaged author.
211 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1996
About the author
Peter Turrini
108 books7 followersPeter Turrini is an Austrian leftist playwright.
Born in Carinthia, Turrini has been writing since 1971, when his play Rozznjogd premiered at the Volkstheater, Vienna. A versatile author, he has written plays, screenplays, poems, and essays. Rather than presenting an authentic picture of reality, in Turrini's understanding it is the function of the theatre to exaggerate and, by doing so, to raise the consciousness of the public.
He lives in Vienna and Retz, Lower Austria.
Born in Carinthia, Turrini has been writing since 1971, when his play Rozznjogd premiered at the Volkstheater, Vienna. A versatile author, he has written plays, screenplays, poems, and essays. Rather than presenting an authentic picture of reality, in Turrini's understanding it is the function of the theatre to exaggerate and, by doing so, to raise the consciousness of the public.
He lives in Vienna and Retz, Lower Austria.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 25, 2024
I loved it ! Shooting rats is a unique piece of work that is relevant to our day and exposes a materialistic world to it's bare bones (Literally).
Even though the entire play starts and ends in one location( Similar to No Exit and the human) it keeps you engaged all the time with it's rapid changes and revelations of details.
Even though the entire play starts and ends in one location( Similar to No Exit and the human) it keeps you engaged all the time with it's rapid changes and revelations of details.
Displaying 1 of 1 review