大象传媒

A reimagined version of August Strindberg's 1888 stage play by Roger James Elsgood, starring Sofie Grabol, Lars Mikkelsen, and Marie Bach Hansen.

Strindberg's Miss Julie concerned a well-bred woman from the land-owning classes who has a one-night stand with her father's valet, Jean.

Over the course of a midsummer night, Julie and Jean discuss their different stations in life and, emboldened by alcohol, she goads Jean to cross the social, economic and sexual lines that divide them and seduces him into her bed. Following their lovemaking, the axis of their relationship reverses - he now has power over her as she realises she is vulnerable to exposure and disgrace. Julie becomes conflicted about the implications of their deed and, with no one else to turn to, relies on Jean for advice. Jean is concerned about losing his job and he contrives a lethal scenario which best serves his needs.

In this fresh version, the themes that lead to the dramatic denouement are not so much those of social class, status, and breeding, but gender, identity and sexual orientation - issues that Victorian-era audiences were not ready for, but which are being openly debated today.

Recorded on location in a 19th-century country house in Ballerup on the island of Zealand in Denmark.

Miss Julie ...... Sofie Grabol
Jean ...... Lars Mikkelsen
Kristen ...... Marie Bach Hansen

Written by August Strindberg
Adapted by Roger James Elsgood

Director: Willi Richards
Producer: Roger James Elsgood

An Art and Adventure production for 大象传媒 Radio 4 first broadcast in June 2016.