The Father (Osborne play)

The Father is a 1964 play by British playwright John Osborne. It is an adaptation of August Strindberg's 1887 play, The Father. Osborne's version is considered a fairly faithful translation and adaptation, though it incorporates some of Osborne's signature dramatic flair and heightened language.

The play explores themes of power struggles within marriage, the manipulation of reality, questions of paternity, and the descent into madness. The central conflict revolves around the Captain, a military officer, and his wife, Laura. Laura is determined to gain control of their daughter Bertha's future, particularly regarding her education and potential marriage. She does this by subtly undermining the Captain's authority and casting doubt upon his sanity, ultimately leading him to a mental breakdown.

Osborne's adaptation maintains the intensity and psychological depth of Strindberg's original, presenting a brutal and unsettling portrayal of a family torn apart by manipulation and the battle for dominance. The play is often interpreted as a critique of societal expectations and the destructive nature of gender roles.