<p>In <i>The Visit</i> (original title <i>Der Besuch der alten Dame</i>), Claire Zachanassian, now a multimillion heiress and an older woman, returns to the impoverished town of her youth with a dreadful bargain: in exchange for returning the town to prosperity through her vast wealth, she wants the townspeople to kill the man who jilted her. <br><br>From its subtle exploration of parochial politics to its horrific climax,<i> The Visit</i> shows a population willing to sacrifice loyalty and scruples in the pursuit of riches. It is a drama of the absurd that reduces human nature to its most ridiculous depths.<br><br>D¿rrenmatt was one of the most important figures of modern European drama and <i>The Visit</i> remains both a powerful critique of twentieth century civilisation and an outstanding piece of experimental theatre.</p>