Script Breakdown (2) – A Soldier’s Tale –Igor Stravinsky Key
Act 1 Devil Soldier Narrator Princess Set
| Scene | Cast | Time | Place | Basic Plot | Atmosphere | Props | Wardrobe | Technicalities | Stage Directions |
| 1 | Soldier Devil (as little old man) Narrator Mrs.Gray Arthur Mother Fiancee | 1917 – During ww1 | ‘The Banks of a Stream’ | Soldier returning to village with 10 days leave Devil tricks the Soldier into losing 3 days of his leave to teach violin. Gives soldier magic book. | Trickery | Pack -medallion (st.joseph) -cartridges -mirror -photo of girlfriend Old brown fiddle Magic book | Devil disguised as man with butterfly net | -Curtain rises/falls -Flying horses/ carriage | Narrator speaks before curtain rises for scene 1. -Devil hides -Can see Devil in next guise at end of scene central stage waiting. |
| 2 | Soldier Devil (as cattle merchant) Narrator | 3 years have passed | Native village (At crossroads in open country. Frontier post and village belfry in the distance.) | Finds he has been away 3 years not 3 days Magic book can make him a fortune. | Bewilderment, anger, despair, | Sabre and sheath Magic book Cap Pack and objects Purse Knapsack | Cattle merchant guise inc. cane Tunic can be unbuttoned (is removed – undergarment needed) Violin to fit in Devils pocket Appears as clothes woman before secene ends (costume change) | Curtain rises Curtain falls | Soldier begins off stage. Later – soldier and Devil both leave stage for a moment 2nd curtain rise. Soldier sitting at desk. Devil pops head around wing, then trips. |
| 3 | Soldier Devil ( as clothes woman) Narrator Man | A room Travelling again – countryside (marching away from home) Inn | Soldier disillusioned by wealth wants fiddle back Soldier travels to an inn. Hears Kings daughter is ill and a reward will be given to her curer. | Despair Anger Distraught | Magic book Fiddle ‘wares’ | Old clothes woman guise Add sense of wealth to Soldier | Fiddle 'hurled' into the wings Book torn into 1000 pieces. Curtain falls. 'Fine white muslin curtains' | Devil Disappears (begins off stage.) Soldier sits at desk. Narrator bangs fist on the table. |
Script Breakdown(2) – A Soldier’s Tale –Igor Stravinsky
Act 2
| Scene | Cast | Time | Place | Basic Plot | Atmosphere | Props | Wardrobe | Technicalities | Stage Directions |
| 4 | Soldier Devil (virtuoso violinist) Narrator | Evening | A room of the palace (dimly lit ) | Narrator speaks directly to Soldier convincing him he can beat the Devil. Soldier plies devil l with wine and plays cards until Devil is unconscious and steals back fiddle. | Rewards/ satisfaction Gaming Temptation | Pack of Cards Pack of Cards Fiddle Wine Glass Money 2 chairs | Devil as violinist Indication of Soldier’s lost wealth | Curtain Rises Devil appears at Soldiers side Table turns around Curtain falls. | All lights go out – Narrator has lit both candles. Shuffles pack of cards Soldier sits at a table shuffling cards, 2 candles lit. Jug of wine and glass. (Like the Narrator) Devil falls back in chair and then body sinks across the table. Soldier plays violin. Devil falls off chair. Lights up. |
| 5 | Soldier Devil (as Devil) Narrator Princess Dancers | Princess’s bedroom | Plays fiddle to Princess and she recovers and dances:
| Triumphant Joy Love Success Redemption | Couch/Bed Fiddle | Distinguish Devil as self | Curtain rises. Curtain falls. Curtain rises. Curtain falls. | Brilliant lighting. Princess dances in front of curtain. Devil crawls on all fours. Devil – accelerated movements Soldier plays violin. Princess and soldier drag Devil from the stage. Devil pops head round door at the back. Disappears. | |
| 6 | Soldier Devil (as self) Narrator Princess | Sometime after marriage | (Curtain) Native Village (as scene 2) | Couple decide to visit Native land. As he crosses the frontier falls into the Devils power who has also reclaimed the fiddle. Soldier follows Devil slowly but with no resistance. | Succumbing to Devil’s will Failure Power of fate Sadness Regret Loss of power Resignation. | Violin | Suggested Devil wears ‘gorgeous scarlet apparel’ Should appear royal/ empowered | Curtain rises. Curtain falls slowly. | Devil crosses across the back of the stage. Devil plays violin. |
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