New Danish Plays

by Hans Christian Andersen

Jess Ornsbo's Odysseus from Vraa is set in a modern environment with characters shorn of any heroic and mythical qualities. Set in late seventeenth century Denmark, Seven Holm's Lenora is about Lenora Christina, daughter of a Danish king and devoted wife of a traitor during her last years, coming to terms with her faith and her fate. Morning and Evening, by Astrid Saalbach, follows a group of characters through the course of a day, observing their attempts to communicate with each other in a fragmented world where not even personality is fixed, and actors can take on new roles, which are yet vaguely reminiscent of the old. The final work is Kaj Nissen's radio play, Fair Kirstin, an historical monologue spoken by a country girl who becomes the mistress of the king of Denmark.

264 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1996

About the author

Hans Christian Andersen (often referred to in Scandinavia as H.C. Andersen) was a Danish author and poet. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, Andersen is best remembered for his fairy tales. Andersen's popularity is not limited to children; his stories — called eventyr, or "fairy-tales" — express themes that transcend age and nationality.

Andersen's fairy tales, which have been translated into more than 125 languages, have become culturally embedded in the West's collective consciousness, readily accessible to children, but presenting lessons of virtue and resilience in the face of adversity for mature readers as well. Some of his most famous fairy tales include "The Little Mermaid", "The Ugly Duckling", "The Nightingale", "The Emperor's New Clothes" and many more. His stories have inspired plays, ballets, and both live-action and animated films.