Amended Script Breakdown

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: Tango Waltz Ragtime Devil appears and Soldier fiddles him into contortions and they drag him off stage	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.