| A powerful exploration of oppression, violence and the class struggle in 1940’s France. |
At Theatr Pena |
| Theatr Pena in association with The Riverfront and the Torch Theatre-the Maids , Torch Theatre, Milford Haven , June 25, 2012 |
Loosely based on real events which took place in France 1933, Theatr Pena’s dark and disturbing translation of Jean Genet’s ‘The Maids’, which performed at Milford Haven’s Torch Theatre this week, is set in Paris in the late 1940’s. It tells the story of two sisters, frustrated and ashamed by their lives as maids for the rich and beautiful Madame and whose only escape is the nightly role play they perform, through which a startling amount of aggression and pain is released. Theatr Pena is recognised for challenging the traditional. Director, Erica Eirian, deliberately set out to cast older women in the title roles. Olwen Rees (Solange) and Christine Pritchard (Claire) perfectly portray the sisters’ struggle and the fact that they have been confined to their profession for all of their lives makes their story much more poignant. Commanding the stage throughout the performance, their chemistry is staggering, the pacing of the play is perfect - and pauses filled with incredible emotion. The audience were mesmerised. Desperate to escape their oppression, they fantasise about murdering Madame. We see Solange as the dominant sister pushing her frustration at the ‘Madames’ of the world onto Claire. Claire, however, displays a desire to be like Madame: to try on her clothes and to imagine that life for herself. Madame herself is not seen until at least halfway through the play. She too appears as sad and frustrated at life, desperately hoping for her husband to come back to her from jail. She is hopeless without the direction of a man and imagines following him ‘to devil’s island’. Portrayed with wit and radiance by Rosamund Shelley, we cannot help but feel sorry for her. She too is a victim of the class system, trapped in a life she hadn’t planned for herself. The set for this production was particularly interesting. Designed by Saz Moir, it consisted of the inside of a French apartment. White furnishings were set alive with the striking addition of red rose petals strewn across the floor. To the left of the stage was a Paris street scene, with tables and chairs set out at as a café. As we entered the theatre, the characters were already in place, giving the impression that we had walked in on their lives. This all worked to create a very strong sense of time and place. Music, another key focus of Theatr Pena, was present throughout the play, setting the atmosphere even before the acting began. The continental tones of an accordion (played by Joe Corbett) enticed us into the theatre and continued intermittently throughout the play, complimented by the beautiful voice of Buddug Verona James to emphasise the characters actions and emotions. The lighting is simple as we move from day into night – a chandelier dominates the apartment, with moments of revelation emphasised by a red glow, working well with the rose petals spread across the white floor to accentuate the suggestion of murder. With strong characters, a definite sense of time and place and a compelling story ‘The Maids’ is an engaging production from beginning to end. Theatre Pena delivers an original and atmospheric adaptation of Genet’s chilling tale which will resonate with theatre goers of all ages. |
Reviewed by: Amanda Griffiths |
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