As the audience enters the theatre, Faustus is already on stage reading. The entire stage is black except for a carpet. This is Faustus’s study. Around him books are scattered over the carpet. The only light that illuminates him comes from candles arranged at different levels upon the carpet.

When the audience is in place, the second actor (who will play Mephistopphilis) enters and crawls to Faustus. She smells him but can never touch him. Faustus is oblivious to her existence. She leaves him and takes her place kneeling to the far right of the stage and speaks his name. The play immediately springs into action and Faustus begins his long monologue investigating all known disciplines of learning.

Faustus’s actions on stage show that he hears the voice coming from the magic book itself, as if speaking to him.

Mephistophilis enters immediately, not calmly and slowly, but in a furious motion, like an animal about to attack. Faustus cowers before the evil and protects himself with a knife sprinkled with holy water.

Circling Faustus, trying to claw him, searching for weaknesses in the protective circle Faustus has drawn around himself.

Following the Renaissance opinion that, while evil spirits may take whatever pleasing form they please, they must still carry a physical defect by which their unnatural origin can be recognised.

As Faustus makes the sign of the cross – which seems physically to pain him – he is overcome violently by retching motions and hideous spasms. His body is invaded from within by the presence of Lucifer.

Lying in exhaustion on the floor, he calls to Mephistophilis in a weak voice, half pleading, half crying. Mephistophilis enters and raises Faustus to his knees and together they begin the journey of Faustus’ twenty-four years of knowledge and power.

The entire action is presented as a vision shared by both Mephistopholis and Faustus, or one given to Faustus by Mephistophilis. What Faustus has done, where he has been, what and who he has seen, the whole 24 years of his life is represented here, until the final culmination of Faustus’ meeting with Helen.

When Faustus awakes, after his night with Helen, it is the final day of his agreement with Lucifer. Faustus implores Mephistophilis to release him from the contract.

Upon Faustus - like a bird of prey upon a carcass - Mephistophilis forces the vision of Hell into Faustus’ mouth and eyes, exulting in celebration over Faustus' misery.

Faustus tries to pray to God for forgiveness, but his soul is so corrupted now that he cannot. The clock begins to strike midnight. When it is finished, the devils appear and drag Faustus down to Hell, while Mephistophilis watches.

When Faustus has been taken, Mephistophilis places the contract of Faustus upon the bare stone, as if placing a holy relic upon an altar, and sets it on fire. Leaving the image of the burning scroll to symbolise the burning of Faustus’ soul in Hell.