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1981 The Danube
First Published: Plays, (New York: PAJ Publications, 1986).
Synopsis
Set in a Budapest divided between East and West, Paul, a young American man on business meets Mr Sandor, a Hungarian and is introduced to his young daughter, Eve. A Hungarian-English language tape is heard and the characters repeat the phrases in translations which are controlled, stilted, stripped down speech. Paul and Eve fall in love and marry but find that despite medical reassurances their health deteriorates. They weaken, sores appear, memories falter, goggles are worn to protect their sight and they faint. This happens against the continued formal, machine-like, dehumanising wording of the tape. Puppets re-enact scenes as the character's lives disintegrate. Paul and Eve attempt to escape to somewhere safe but they freeze, caught in a flash.
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This play, written for a Nuclear Free Festival, has been directed five times by Fornes. In 1981, and again in 1983 it was performed at the Theatre for the New City, 162 Second Avenue, NYC. In 1983 Costume Design was by Gabriel Berry, Set Design by Ski Holm and Glenna Price. Cast: Paul Green - Michael Seán Edwards,Mr. Sandor - Arthur Williams, Eve Sandor-Green - Margaret Harrington, Kovacs, Waiter, Doctor and Barber - Martin Treat; voiceovers - Stephen Balint and Dain Chandler.
In 1982 Fornes directed it at the 5th Padua Hills Festival. There its title was You Can Swim in the Danube - But the Water is Too Cold. The Sets and Costume Design by Monica Lorca. Cast: Paul - Leon Martel, Mr. Sandor - Dudley Knight, Eve - Patricia Mattick, Mr. Kovacs, Waiter, Barber - Lee Kissman.
1984 saw Fornes directing it at the American Place Theatre, 111 West 42nd Street, NYC. Cast: Mr. Sandor - Sam Grey, Paul Green - Richard Sale, Eve Sandor-Green - Kate Collins, Kovacs, Waiter, Doctor and Barber - Thomas Kopache, voiceovers W. Scott Allison and Stephen Balant. Lighting design was by Anne Militello, Costume Design by Gabriel Berry, and Puppets by Estaban Fernandez.
There is a 59 minute video of this production which can be seen at the Billy Rose Theatre Collection, New York Public Library. See Billy Rose Theatre Collection.
Fornes was awarded an Obie for Playwriting and Direction of The Danube, Sarita and Mud. She went on to direct The Danube again in 1984 at the New City Theatre, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In 1994 it was performed at the Gate Theatre, London, England. Nancy Meckler directed a production with Shared Experience.
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