Bartleby The Scrivener

Producer Mini teater Ljubljana
First opening 13. 5. 2011 Mini teater Ljubljana
Running time 1 hour 20 minutes. No interval.
 

Translator Polona Glavan
Adaptation, concept and direction by Miloš Lolić
Sound designer Luka Ivanovič
Project consultant Bojana Denić, Igor Dobričić
 

Cast
Igor Samobor
Sandi Pavlin
Janez Starina
Klemen Novak
Tadej Pišek
 

Bartleby The Scrivener is a surprisingly current short story by the American classical writer, Herman Melville, known almost exclusively for his novel Moby Dick. Bartleby, or "the most famous story of Wall Street,” is based on Bartleby’s seemingly simple answer:  "I’d prefer not to.” This is his unexpected response to the request from his superior, the narrator, to help with some office work. After this initial defiance, Bartleby continues to counter all requests and demands with the compelling "I’d prefer not to” or "I’d rather not.” This earns him the right to survive, that is to say, the right to passive insistence.