The Firstborn: A Play in Three Acts

by Christopher Fry

Christopher Fry (1907–2005) was an English playwright, particularly well known for verse dramas such as The Lady's Not for Burning. First published in 1946, this book contains the complete text of The Firstborn, a three act play by Fry set during the summer of 1200 BC in Ancient Egypt. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in British theatre and verse drama.

101 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1946

Reviews

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more I read by Christopher Fry the more I find myself consistently blown away by his work. Nearly forgotten in modern times, it seems, his lyrical style is matched only by his subtle and absorbing characterizations. The people of the FIRSTBORN- all famous Bible personages- are etched with new depth and perspective, making them whole human beings as opposed to mere figures of legend. His ability to build compelling sides to both the Egyptian and Hebrew perspective is also commendable- you feel, by the end, a true sense of the tragedy of what befalls both of these nations as the individuals within them are caught up in the larger struggles of freedom and identity.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not certain what to say about it; it was on the whole beautiful and very powerful, and Fry made some interesting choices in making the characters so contemporary. I liked the differences in the characters; Miriam's guilt at having brought a child into a life of slavery, Aaron's belief that political change will come within the existing power structures, Ramases' easy disillusionment as he searches out a path for manhood... it was interesting and well done. Sometimes the verse was too much, too complex, the metaphors too laboured, but well, that is Fry. I love his work anyway.

[Cecilia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This play is about Moses getting the Jews out of Egypt. Interesting focus on various kinds of fear and how Moses is torn between the culture and the family he grew up in and his people, their justice and what God has tasked him to do.

Would be interesting to do a production where the Egyptians are dressed as Israelis and the Israelites are dressed as Palestinians.