The Devil's Own Game

by Meron Langsner

The damned soul of Doctor Faustus, whose punishment is to inspire discoveries only to see them perverted, finds himself in the lab of a young physicist. Through the machinations of Faustus and Mephistophilis, she will either redeem the world or damn it to a new level of suffering. A contemporary remix/update of a classical archetype, influenced by the work of Neil Gamian and Foucalt.

This play has been...

The damned soul of Doctor Faustus, whose punishment is to inspire discoveries only to see them perverted, finds himself in the lab of a young physicist. Through the machinations of Faustus and Mephistophilis, she will either redeem the world or damn it to a new level of suffering. A contemporary remix/update of a classical archetype, influenced by the work of Neil Gamian and Foucalt.

This play has been developed at the Lark Play Development Center in NYC, New Repertory Theatre through NNPN, and Whistler in the Dark Theatre Playwright Incubator Project, and The Lambs, among other venues. The author considers it a work of physical theatre.

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The Devil's Own Game

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: The Devil's Own Game

    An incredible adaptation that takes us in the lab of Doctor Faustus and Mephistophilis to find out what they will conjure. What road will they choose? Will they build a new world of heaven or will the fires be too difficult to give up? The journey is captivating and world changing. Well done!

    An incredible adaptation that takes us in the lab of Doctor Faustus and Mephistophilis to find out what they will conjure. What road will they choose? Will they build a new world of heaven or will the fires be too difficult to give up? The journey is captivating and world changing. Well done!

  • John Lunman: The Devil's Own Game

    This is an excellent play on the Faust Legend. It a great story with 3 fantastic roles, including a chance for a young woman to play the ultimate devil. Production-wise the setting and physical presentation is simple enough to be successfully done on the smallest of theatrical budgets. It is a horror story about selling one's soul but it also about how curiosity and learning and the best intentions might lead to horrific ends when knowledge is passed to those who have not earned it. I hope someone picks it up for a full production soon.

    This is an excellent play on the Faust Legend. It a great story with 3 fantastic roles, including a chance for a young woman to play the ultimate devil. Production-wise the setting and physical presentation is simple enough to be successfully done on the smallest of theatrical budgets. It is a horror story about selling one's soul but it also about how curiosity and learning and the best intentions might lead to horrific ends when knowledge is passed to those who have not earned it. I hope someone picks it up for a full production soon.

  • Laura Pittenger: The Devil's Own Game

    I directed this play as a staged reading for Turn to Flesh Productions, NY. It was a spiritual, physical, and intellectual workout for all involved. Looking forward to its next incarnation. Recommended if you always thought Faust got a raw deal and/or you live for the thrill of discovery.

    I directed this play as a staged reading for Turn to Flesh Productions, NY. It was a spiritual, physical, and intellectual workout for all involved. Looking forward to its next incarnation. Recommended if you always thought Faust got a raw deal and/or you live for the thrill of discovery.

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization The Lambs , Year 2024
  • Type Reading, Organization Turn to Flesh Productions, Year 2014
  • Type Reading, Organization Whistler In The Dark Theatre, Year 2013
  • Type Reading, Organization Lark Play Development Center, Year 2010
  • Type Reading, Organization New Repertory Theatre, Year 2009
  • Type Reading, Organization Lark Play Development Center/National New Play Network, Year 2008