Showing @ Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, until Sat 28 Sep @ 19:30

Karen Blixen remains a complex – and controversial – figure in the history of postcolonial literature. Without dwelling on her professional life and the contention surrounding it, Thor Bjorn Krebs’ The Baroness looks at Blixen’s formative years and depicts her as Denmark’s Blanche DuBois: largely enigmatic, profoundly idealist and gracefully tragic. A worldly independent woman coming to terms with ageing and loneliness. Dogstar Theatre Company’s production marks the UK premiere of Krebs’ text, which was nominated as play of the year in the 2012 Danish Theatre Awards.

The Baroness explores 62-year-old Blixen’s (Roberta Taylor) intimate friendship and ‘pact’ with 29-year-old Thorkild Bjørnvig, the Doctor (Ewan Donald). On the periphery sits Benedicte Jensen (Romana Abercromby), the wife of Bjørnvig’s patron and publisher, whose disillusionment offers wry observations of The Baroness throughout.

Kreb’s play was inspired by books, anecdotes and letters that have been pieced together to give the audience an insight into the woman behind the writing. Directed by Matthew Zajac, the staging is simple with the power-play between the characters firmly at the forefront. The dialogue is sharp and witty, giving much needed relief to the intense interchanges between the Baroness and the Doctor. Blixen’s desire to play mother, teacher, lover and partner to the Doctor gives a twisted and manipulative dimension to her character; it is as uncomfortable as it is compelling – for the audience as well Bjørnvig.

Benedicte becomes a contrast, a symbol of youth, health, beauty and clarity; all that is unattainable to Blixen. Taylor captures the arrogant and devious elements in Blixen’s character while maintaining the charisma and humour that undoubtedly made her popular in the beginning. Unlike DuBois, Blixen never depended on the kindness of strangers; just the loyalty of the people she chose to love. Similarly, she came to realise the flaws in dependency of any kind; loneliness and independence are two sides of the same coin.

Follow Emma on Twitter @emmalhay