Faustus (play)

Last updated
Faustus
Written by David Mamet
Directed byDavid Mamet
Date premieredMarch 2004
Place premieredSan Francisco
Original languageEnglish
GenreDrama

Faustus is a two act play by David Mamet that had its world premiere in San Francisco's Magic Theatre in March 2004, directed by Mamet. [1] [2] It is a contemporary version of the Faust legend.

Contents

Plot

In this version, Faustus is a married young scientist and philosopher with a child in the 1900s. However, after his latest work is slammed by critics, he makes a demonic deal with a bizarre party entertainer, 'Magus'.

Reception

Variety's Dennis Harvey wrote a negative review, criticizing the dialogue, lack of emotion and staging, saying, "Those who suspect Mamet the director is far from Mamet the writer’s best interpreter will find that notion amply supported here. Even allowing for the lumpy prose, which would sap energy under any circumstances, the physical production is remarkably stilted." [3]

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References

  1. Hernandez, Ernio. "David Mamet to Direct World Premiere of His 'Dr. Faustus' at San Francisco's Magic" Playbill, October 21, 2003
  2. "Review of 'Faustus'" Archived 2014-10-15 at archive.today mamet.eserver.org, March 2004, accessed october 24, 2015
  3. Harvey, Dennis. "Review" Variety, March 9, 2004