Biography - A Game

A reissue of Max Frisch's comic and tragic play, "Biography," explores how much of our life we could change if we got another chance. The play follows a middle-aged behavioral researcher who is given the opportunity to start his life over and change his decisions and actions, but he finds himself trapped in the same decisions, ultimately proving fatal. The central idea of the play is that our lives are a self-conscious play with imaginary identities, and the revised version celebrates the theatre as a form of self-expression and the human condition in all its potential and limitations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 124 pages
Publication date: 06 July 2023
Publisher: Seagull Books London Ltd

A reissue of a comic and tragic play that delves into the profound question of how much of our lives we could or would change if given a second chance.

In this captivating play by Swiss playwright and novelist Max Frisch, a middle-aged behavioral researcher named Kürmann is presented with an extraordinary opportunity: to start his life over at any point he chooses, and to alter his decisions and actions in both profound and mundane matters. He can save his marriage, become politically active, prioritize his health, or even change the color of his living room furniture. Despite his sincere intention to apply the wisdom he has gained through age, Kürmann finds himself inexorably entangled in the same choices, ultimately leading to a tragic outcome.

The play's central idea, that our lives are nothing but a self-conscious play with imaginary identities, is brilliantly captured in Biography's dramaturgical form. It sets up a theatre rehearsal as a metaphor for the endless possibilities and variables of the game of life.

Frisch's own revised and dramatically heightened version of the play celebrates not only the theatre as a form of self-expression but also the human condition in all its potential and limitations. It showcases both comic and tragic outcomes that define our lives, reminding us of the complexities and unpredictability of human existence.

Through its exploration of the human condition, this play offers a thought-provoking reflection on the choices we make and the impact they have on our lives. It prompts us to consider the extent to which our circumstances, upbringing, and past experiences shape our decisions and actions, and to what extent we have the ability to break free from the patterns that define us.

Ultimately, Biography serves as a powerful reminder that our lives are not predetermined, and that we have the power to shape them in ways that may seem impossible at first. It encourages us to embrace the uncertainty and unpredictability of life, to take risks, and to pursue our dreams and aspirations with determination and courage.

Weight: 148g
Dimension: 127 x 203 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803092157