The Power of Darkness

Dramatis Personae

• Peter Ignátitch. A well-to-do peasant, forty-two years old, married for the second time, and sickly

• Anísya. His wife, thirty-two years old, fond of dress

• Akoulína. Peter’s daughter by his first marriage, sixteen years old, hard of hearing, mentally undeveloped

• Nan (Anna Petróvna). His daughter by his second marriage, ten years old

• Nikíta. Their labourer, twenty-five years old, fond of dress

• Akím. Nikíta’s father, fifty years old, a plain-looking, God-fearing peasant

• Matryóna. His wife and Nikíta’s mother, fifty years old

• Marína. An orphan girl, twenty-two years old

• Martha. Peter’s sister

• Mítritch. An old labourer, ex-soldier

• Simon. Marína’s husband

• Bridegroom. Engaged to Akoulína

• Iván. His father

• A neighbour

• First girl

• Second girl

• Police officer

• Driver

• Best man

• Matchmaker

• Village elder

• Visitors, women, girls, and people come to see the wedding

N.B.—The “oven” mentioned is the usual large, brick, Russian baking-oven. The top of it outside is flat, so that more than one person can lie on it.

Act I

The Act takes place in autumn in a large village. The Scene represents Peter’s roomy hut. Peter is sitting on a wooden bench, mending a horse-collar. Anísya and Akoulína are spinning, and singing a part-song.