Scandinavian American Theater Company presents the U.S. premiere of this drama inspired by the true story of author Isak Dinesen's relationship with a much younger poet. More…
Karen Blixen, better known by her pen name Isak Dinesen, wrote such epic tales as 'Out of Africa' and 'Babette's Feast.' At the pinnacle of her fame in 1948, the 62 year-old Blixen was introduced to 29-year-old Danish poet Thorkild Bjørnvig by his publisher’s wife, Benedicte. Blixen took Thorkild under her wing and the two shared a powerful, dangerous, and intimate friendship. This is a tale of passion, courage, art, love, and lust between a young ambitious poet, a grand dame of literature, and the charming wife of their patron.
See it if You want to see a drama, fully developed with rich characters, great acting, lovely costumes and interesting set and lighting.
Don't see it if You want a light fast paced evening.
See it if You like plays about historical figures. You enjoy plays about art & its process. You have some familiarity w/Isak Dinesen's work.
Don't see it if You want natural dialogue & characters: the text is Very Important & the characters never felt like real people.
Also I bumped this up to a green, "good" score on the strength of the actor... Read more Read less
See it if you're interested in isak dinesen.
Don't see it if you're not interested in isak dinesen.
See it if You like mannered, larger than life exaggerated central characters. Lovely staging. Slow but I liked the timing. 130 minutes.
Don't see it if the invocation of magic and demons with an omnipotent, omnipresent lead fails to appeal. Very stylized, not much actually happens.
Also I did give it a 75. This 2 plus hours did not feel as long as Charolai... Read more Read less
See it if A complex play about Karen Blixen involving themes of love, loss and commitment. A bit slow with the first act lasting 90 min.
Don't see it if If you enjoy light musicals or dramas with a simple message.
See it if you are curious about writers' process, relationship of writer and his muse, and what happened to Karen Blixen after Kenya (Out of Africa).
Don't see it if you crave more action or music than talk, or are not interested in poetry, writing poetry or fiction for publication, or historical drama
See it if You are interested in Isak Dinesen and enjoy biographical plays. The lead was quite good, but some of the other acting was rather uneven.
Don't see it if You don't enjoy historical plays, or plays which incorporate poetry into the scenes.
See it if you're game to be lulled into an intriguing mentor-mentee relationship story; if you like inventive use of music (original & Chopin mix).
Don't see it if you're uncomfie with dynamic (not always believable) of forceful older woman & naive, younger man; you loathe those herbal cigarettes.
Also I didn't know anything about Dinesen beyond seeing Out of Africa film ... Read more Read less
See it if Slow historical drama of Svengali type relationship between Karen Blixen and much younger male writer; odd confusing set and very slow
Don't see it if You don't know about Blixen and can't sit through long and slow moving historical drama ; set did not blend well with historical setting
See it if You want to see good acting with a biography based plot with lots of details. Think Mrs Robinson meets Denmark.
Don't see it if You don't like women seducing younger men.
See it if This well written play captures the influence of the aging outstanding storyteller Dinesen, on the young poet Bjørnvig’s career.
Don't see it if you do not like biographical material in any form
Also They sealed a “pact” of friendship, which lasted only four years due t... Read more Read less
See it if you want to see a well acted drama based on the story of Isak Dinesen and her last mentee. Keep count of the end of scene glasses.
Don't see it if you don't like drama and you don't like smelling incense that is substituted for cigarette smoke during the show.
See it if Fine character study of a complex and compelling woman/artist struggling against the inevitable. An exceptional performance by the lead.
Don't see it if You don't like to be so close to a dark, uncomfortable relationship doomed to disaster.
See it if You are interested in learning about Isak Dinesen's fascinating life. Well acted, truthfully brought to life on an interesting stage.
Don't see it if You don't care who Isak Dinesen was. Don't care to see an older woman's charisma at work. You don't believe in magic.
See it if Like period plays, base on A true story, and love, to see someone that's really good at their craft. She was Superb.
Don't see it if Don't like older women trying to seduce younger men.
Also The actress that played the Baroness, was absolutely phenomenal. She r... Read more Read less
See it if you like Isak Dinesen's work. Complex study of her as a mentor to a younger writer.
Don't see it if you aren't a fan of Blixen and historical drama
See it if You want to see a great performance by Broadway's Dee Pelletier. If you've wondered what happened to Karen Blixen after "Out of Africa."
Don't see it if You're allergic to smoke or have health issues exacerbated by smoke.Way too much unnecessary smoking. What's wrong with e-cig?Needs editing!
See it if You want to be fascinated by a hypnotic, wise and glamorous woman, hurtling towards tragedy.
Don't see it if You have no interest in Karen Blixen. The fact that Act I coud benefit from an additional intermission would make you restive.
Also The tufted sofas represent the age and modesty of the family property,... Read more Read less
See it if You enjoy plots that have underlying meanings, indirect story lines, w/good acting and unique staging
Don't see it if You enjoy light plays
See it if You loved "Out of Africa" and are interested in the author
Don't see it if You do not enjoy intelligent dialogue
See it if You enjoy great word play and clever repartee.
Don't see it if you are expecting a romance.
See it if You enjoy good acting and good writing
Don't see it if You don't care for romance