Claremont Dramatic Society Presents PLAYING WITH FIRE By August Strindberg at Masque Theatre

August Strindberg, one of Europe's most respected literary figures, wrote only three comedies, one of which is this one-act play about having nothing to do. Set at the beach house where Knut and his wife Kerstin live with his parents, Playing With Fire deals with the ever-present web of relationships, and how to untangle them - if it's at all possible. Can there be love without jealousy? Strindberg's hypothesis is that love both generates and feeds off jealousy. Will Knut and Kerstin's marriage survive the arrival of their close friend, Axel, as all three "play with fire"?

Bernie Jacobs, who directed last year's psychological thriller Equus, directs Playing With Fire for Claremont Dramatic Society Playing With Fire is preceded by a performance of another one-act play, The Open Door by Alfred Sutro, which similarly deals with love, jealousy and what might have been. This play stars Thomas von Zahn and Laurie Todes and is directed by Jenny Brandt.

The double bill opens at the Masque Theatre on Friday 27 July and runs until Saturday 4 August with shows at 20h00 Wednesday to Friday and 18h30 on Saturdays. There will also be a matinee performance at 14h30 on Saturday 4 August.

Tickets are R100. Bookings through Masque Theatre bookings (021 788 1898 or bookings@masquetheatre.co.za) or through Computicket.

Photo: Kim R2, David Sharpe and Richard Higgs