Can someone explain the ending of "The Visit" to me?

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Can someone explain the ending of "The Visit" to me?

Posted: 5/28/15 at 12:54pm

I've seen it twice now, and I really love it, but for some reason the "twist" at the end is lost on me.

Can someone explain what is going on?

*If at this point you haven't seen the show, continue reading, and get upset because something was spoiled for you,...........I can't help you.

*OBVIOUS SPOILERS BELOW*

"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."

Can someone explain the ending of

Posted: 5/28/15 at 12:57pm

I'm not sure what twist you're referring to. Anton goes through with Claire's demand, is killed, and Claire honors her side of the deal and lavishes riches on the town.

"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

Can someone explain the ending of

Posted: 5/28/15 at 12:57pm

I interpret it as that she's finally happy that she's received her wish of having Anton with her eternally. She's dressed in black with her "natural" hair, no need to dress up and show off now that she's gotten "justice." She will be forever happy with her lover's coffin in Capri, a fate that Anton accepts in "In The Forrest Again."

Can someone explain the ending of

Posted: 5/28/15 at 1:02pm

^ Agreed

It's like the little insert in the Playbill - what's better love or revenge? Claire gets both. She loves Anton too much to be without him for eternity, but she also still can't forgive him for what he did. She gets her revenge by the town killing him, but also gets to make him "hers" forever at their gravesite in Capri.

I like a good rhyme more than a good time

Can someone explain the ending of

Posted: 5/28/15 at 1:17pm

Ok, I get that. Maybe I was trying to read too much into Doyle's direction.

But one last question....

Why is Anton seen walking offstage with her at the end? Is he now one of the "Ghosts" that Clara will always travel with?

"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."

Can someone explain the ending of

Posted: 5/28/15 at 1:20pm

I actually asked Chita about this. She said "At that point, she doesn't need to hide anymore. She can reveal who she truly is to the town".

Can someone explain the ending of

Posted: 5/28/15 at 1:26pm

I've also talked to people who interpreted her black dress and new hair as her seeing herself as a widow and presenting as such.

Can someone explain the ending of

Posted: 5/28/15 at 1:26pm

Thanks for that, Jordan!!

"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."

Can someone explain the ending of

Posted: 5/28/15 at 1:28pm

Why is Anton seen walking offstage with her at the end? Is he now one of the "Ghosts" that Clara will always travel with?

Absolutely. He will be with her for eternity, just as she wanted.

#10

Can someone explain the ending of

Posted: 5/28/15 at 2:13pm

See the movie with Anthony Quinn. The twist is better and the play makes sense in the film instead of being dreary throughout.

#11

Can someone explain the ending of

Posted: 5/28/15 at 2:51pm

"See the movie with Anthony Quinn. The twist is better and the play makes sense in the film instead of being dreary throughout."

The movie's ending may be clever (it actually is a twist) - I also like it - but it's not Durenmatt's ending in the original play.

#12

Can someone explain the ending of

Posted: 5/28/15 at 5:53pm

Anton doesn't walk with her at the end...

#13

Can someone explain the ending of

Posted: 5/28/15 at 6:05pm

He does now. As of opening night, Anton follows her out in the procession.

#14

Can someone explain the ending of

Posted: 5/28/15 at 6:21pm

Based on her comments on Leonard Lopate's show, Chita's interpretation seems to be that Claire dies at the end of the play:

"What you don't see on that stage is that she takes that coffin to Capri, but she also...joins him. She says goodbye herself."

#15

Can someone explain the ending of

Posted: 5/28/15 at 7:11pm

LarryD2, that's very much in line with how I interpreted the final scene with Chita. The change of costume from white to black to me was very pointed in its suggestion that Claire, too, has died and that she will be joining alongside Anton in Capri.

#16

Can someone explain the ending of

Posted: 6/4/15 at 5:11pm

"I actually asked Chita about this. She said "At that point, she doesn't need to hide anymore. She can reveal who she truly is to the town"."

Thanks for this info! I was so mesmerized by the show I really didn't give that change much thought. I think I dismissed it as the passage of time or something. Regardless, I loved the musical and Chita of course.

#17

Can someone explain the ending of

Posted: 6/4/15 at 5:12pm

"He does now. As of opening night, Anton follows her out in the procession. "

I interpreted as him now being a ghost like the younger selves were throughout the show.

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