by WITOLD
GOMBROWICZ
The figure of Ivona seems an ungainly lethargic
Ophelia to the petulant Hamlet-character of the Crown prince
In this first play, published in 1938 the Polish novelist and playwright (whose The Marriage was broadcast last year) ironically explores man's folly, cruelty, and vanity by juxtaposing a fairy-tale royal household and the mirrorlike character of a young girl whose lack of reaction draws out the inhuman behaviour of the surrounding court.
Translated from the Polish by KRYSTYNA GRIFFITH-JONES and CATHERINE ROBINS Cast: and and Adapted for radio and produced by H. B. FORTUIN
(To be repeated on 8 March)