Written in the 15th century by Johannes Von Saaz, "Death and the Ploughman" is a dialogue between Death and a widowed farmer. West has dramatized it here as an adversarial duel where the farmer's defence of mankind is as strong as Death's ruthless prosecution of his own cause.
A hugely acclaimed new play based on a 15th century Bohemian story
Written in the 15th century by the Bohemian humanist and writer Johannes Von Saaz, Death and the Ploughman is a tragic dialogue between Death and a recently widowed farmer. It is here dramatised by the acclaimed translator Michael West as an adversarial duel where the farmer's defence of mankind is as strong as Death's ruthless prosecution of his own cause.
"Quite extraordinary...This translation is an eloquent one, filled with jewelled words and edged debate, a tribute to the original author and a serious achievement by his successor" - Irish Times
"Immensely personal, manifestly sceptical of received religious wisdom, and utterly fascinating, a Dürer engraving given audible life" - Sunday Independent
Death and the Ploughman is published to tie in with its production at the Gate Theatre, London in October 2002
Praise for Michael West's FOLEY: "a gem" (Sunday Independent); "Splendidly crafted" (Washington Post); "Simply superb" (Irish Times)
