Nijinsky's Last Dance

Nijinsky's Last Dance by Norman Allen

(1)
Productions (36)
Solo drama
|
85 - 95 minutes
1 M, 
Content Notes: Adult content
Set: A single square platform

This one-man tour-de-force delves into the hidden recesses of the great dancer's psyche as he fights for his sanity. In a searing 90 minutes, Nijinsky not only relives his past but embodies the people who inhabit it, including lover Sergei Diaghilev, prima ballerina Tamara Karsavina, and artistic champion Auguste Rodin. Through the passionate telling of his own rise and fall, Nijinsky offers his audience a glimpse into a collapsing civilization and the unraveling of the twentieth century.

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $150

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

This one-man tour-de-force delves into the hidden recesses of the great dancer's psyche as he fights for his sanity. In a searing 90 minutes, Nijinsky not only relives his past but embodies the people who inhabit it, including lover Sergei Diaghilev, prima ballerina Tamara Karsavina, and artistic champion Auguste Rodin. Through the passionate telling of his own rise and fall, Nijinsky offers his audience a glimpse into a collapsing civilization and the unraveling of the twentieth century.

  • Solo drama
  • |
  • 85 - 95 minutes
  • 1 M, 
  • Content Notes: Adult content
  • Set: A single square platform
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-186-7

Published Reviews

"Holds such sway and power over the audience that you feel you are basking in the heart and soul of Nijinsky. In less than 90 minutes, you not only forget yourself, you leave yourself."

Jayne Blanchard, The Washington Times

"Norman Allen's script works not only as a factual biography, but builds vivid pictures of life as a dancer."

Kelly Apter, The Scotsman (Edinburgh)

"Run, walk, dance, strut -- however you do it, get to the Kennedy Center Terrace Theatre to see Nijnsky's Last Dance."

Leslie Milk, Washingtonian Magazine

"When the last words had been spoken on the evening I saw it, the hall sat utterly silent until Davidson broke character to take his bow. That doesn't happen randomly in the theatre -- and it doesn't happen often enough."

Trey Graham, Washington City Paper

Production History

OCT 24, 2020 - OCT 24, 2020
Actor's Workshop of Virginia
Norfolk, VA United States
Actor's Workshop of Virginia Norfolk, VA United States
MAR 03, 2020 - MAR 03, 2020
Basha High School
Chandler, AZ United States
Basha High School Chandler, AZ United States
FEB 20, 2015 - FEB 22, 2015
The Governor's School For The Arts
Norfolk, VA United States
The Governor's School For The Arts Norfolk, VA United States
MAY 16, 2014 - MAY 18, 2014
Missouri State University
Springfield, MO United States
Missouri State University Springfield, MO United States
MAY 01, 2014 - MAY 04, 2014
Missouri State University
Springfield, MO United States
Missouri State University Springfield, MO United States
FEB 18, 2014 - MAY 26, 2014
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
SEP 06, 2013 - SEP 22, 2013
Edge Theatre
Houston, TX United States
Edge Theatre Houston, TX United States
JUN 01, 2013 - JAN 31, 2014
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
MAY 17, 2013 - MAY 19, 2013
Workshop Theatre Group
Norfolk, VA United States
Workshop Theatre Group Norfolk, VA United States
JAN 01, 2013 - DEC 31, 2013
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
JUL 14, 2012 - JUL 14, 2012
Stage World
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Stage World Port Elizabeth, South Africa
MAR 06, 2012 - MAY 31, 2012
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
OCT 01, 2011 - OCT 31, 2011
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo Ljubljana, Slovenia
JAN 01, 2011 - SEP 30, 2011
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo Ljubljana, Slovenia
NOV 11, 2010 - NOV 20, 2010
LifeLines
Missoula, MT United States
LifeLines Missoula, MT United States
OCT 31, 2010 - DEC 31, 2010
Avtorska Agencija za Slovenijo
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Avtorska Agencija za Slovenijo Ljubljana, Slovenia
APR 30, 2010 - MAY 09, 2010
Bread & Water Theatre
Rochester, NY United States
Bread & Water Theatre Rochester, NY United States
OCT 22, 2009 - OCT 24, 2009
Yale School Of Drama
New Haven, CT United States
Yale School Of Drama New Haven, CT United States
JUN 01, 2009 - JUN 30, 2009
Lithia Springs High School
Lithia Springs, GA United States
Lithia Springs High School Lithia Springs, GA United States
MAR 12, 2009 - MAR 15, 2009
Workshop Theatre Group
Tucson, AZ United States
Workshop Theatre Group Tucson, AZ United States
MAY 06, 2008 - MAY 17, 2008
Project Arts Center
Dublin, Ireland
Project Arts Center Dublin, Ireland
APR 04, 2008 - APR 06, 2008
Mountain View College
Dallas, TX United States
Mountain View College Dallas, TX United States
OCT 13, 2007 - OCT 14, 2007
Workshop Theatre Group
Hampton, VA United States
Workshop Theatre Group Hampton, VA United States
AUG 02, 2007 - AUG 27, 2007
Workshop Theatre Group
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Workshop Theatre Group Edinburgh, United Kingdom
MAY 18, 2007 - MAY 20, 2007
Workshop Theatre Group
Norfolk, VA United States
Workshop Theatre Group Norfolk, VA United States
MAR 17, 2007 - MAY 31, 2007
EDGE Theatre
Miami Beach, FL United States
EDGE Theatre Miami Beach, FL United States
OCT 12, 2006 - OCT 22, 2006
Phoenix Theatre
Indianapolis, IN United States
Phoenix Theatre Indianapolis, IN United States
SEP 28, 2006 - SEP 30, 2006
Actors Scene Unseen
Monroe, NC United States
Actors Scene Unseen Monroe, NC United States
JUN 14, 2006 - JUN 25, 2006
The Workshop Theatre Group / Richmond Triangle Players
Richmond, VA United States
The Workshop Theatre Group / Richmond Triangle Players Richmond, VA United States
MAR 03, 2006 - MAR 05, 2006
Theatre Workshop Group
Norfolk, VA United States
Theatre Workshop Group Norfolk, VA United States
OCT 01, 2006 - MAY 31, 2007
Spinoza Has
Budapest, Hungary
Spinoza Has Budapest, Hungary
OCT 01, 2005 - MAY 31, 2006
Spinoza Has
Budapest, Hungary
Spinoza Has Budapest, Hungary
AUG 01, 2003 - SEP 30, 2003
Kennedy Center
Washington, DC United States
Kennedy Center Washington, DC United States
JUN 01, 2003 - JUL 31, 2003
Berkshire Theatre Festival
Stockbridge, MA United States
Berkshire Theatre Festival Stockbridge, MA United States
JAN 01, 2000 - DEC 31, 2000
Pieter Toerien, Producer
Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa
Pieter Toerien, Producer Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa
NOV 01, 1998 - DEC 31, 1998
Signature Theatre
Arlington, VA United States
Signature Theatre Arlington, VA United States
No upcoming productions.
FEB 18, 2014 - MAY 26, 2014
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
JUN 01, 2013 - JAN 31, 2014
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
JAN 01, 2013 - DEC 31, 2013
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
MAR 06, 2012 - MAY 31, 2012
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
OCT 01, 2011 - OCT 31, 2011
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo Ljubljana, Slovenia
JAN 01, 2011 - SEP 30, 2011
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Avtorska Agencija Za Slovenijo Ljubljana, Slovenia
OCT 31, 2010 - DEC 31, 2010
Avtorska Agencija za Slovenijo
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Avtorska Agencija za Slovenijo Ljubljana, Slovenia
MAR 17, 2007 - MAY 31, 2007
EDGE Theatre
Miami Beach, FL United States
EDGE Theatre Miami Beach, FL United States
OCT 12, 2006 - OCT 22, 2006
Phoenix Theatre
Indianapolis, IN United States
Phoenix Theatre Indianapolis, IN United States
OCT 01, 2006 - MAY 31, 2007
Spinoza Has
Budapest, Hungary
Spinoza Has Budapest, Hungary
OCT 01, 2005 - MAY 31, 2006
Spinoza Has
Budapest, Hungary
Spinoza Has Budapest, Hungary
AUG 01, 2003 - SEP 30, 2003
Kennedy Center
Washington, DC United States
Kennedy Center Washington, DC United States
JUN 01, 2003 - JUL 31, 2003
Berkshire Theatre Festival
Stockbridge, MA United States
Berkshire Theatre Festival Stockbridge, MA United States
JAN 01, 2000 - DEC 31, 2000
Pieter Toerien, Producer
Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa
Pieter Toerien, Producer Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa
NOV 01, 1998 - DEC 31, 1998
Signature Theatre
Arlington, VA United States
Signature Theatre Arlington, VA United States

Awards (1)

Helen Hayes Award, Outstanding Play (1999)

Archival Video License

Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License to add to your order for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

This allows you to record one of your live performances for your internal archives only. This cannot be streamed.

For more information, please reach out to [email protected]