After the Rococo

Early 1800s Scandinavia

The examination of two upper class families, told through the engagement of a
man and woman from either family.

The story takes place in real time at the engagement party of the couple.
Complications occur when the to-be-husband realises he has no feelings for his
to-be-wife, and develops a connection with her relative.

Late evening at an engagement party. An assortment of characters from two

equally wealthy families are joined to celebrate the future marriage of Hans _____
and Carina ____. A string quartet is playing. After some time, the guests begin to
dance in pairs.

Lead man: Late 40s, no longer as handsome as he used to be. Of some wealth
considering the inheritance received from his father last Summer.

Lead woman: Early 20s.

Plot:? Engagement celebration. Arranged marriage, of course. Dancing in pairs.

Husband flirts with another woman, another man flirts to Wife. Social comment
from elderly woman. Both the Husband and Wife reach an emotional climax
where they feel they would be better suited to someone else. Both resign their
fantasies and decide to continue with the engagement, unhappy.

Alcohol is the catalyst for emotions and stories to develop. Drunk fantasy leads
to sobering reality.

Characters:

Middle-aged husband-to-be

Young wife-to-be

Elderly woman perhaps grandmother/aunt of either the wife/husband

Young child perhaps step-daughter/niece-in-law to husband, granddaughter of

Elderly Woman

Young woman sister of Young child (step-daughter/niece-in-law, to husband,

and potential love interest)

Thank you all for coming to this evenings celebration to mark the engagement of
my son and his bride-to-be. The Landvik family