Death & The Maiden

by Ariel Dorfman

Wednesday 14th - Saturday 17th May

THIS is one of those plays which will carry its relevance forward for as long as people continue to commit atrocities. We all know of a country somewhere, at some time, where a despotic regime has oppressed its population, where disappearances and mysterious murders become commonplace and where fear has governed. We can think of Milosovic or the stories we hear even know of Saddam Husseins long rule in Iraq, to name two of the most recent.

This play does not judge the situation directly, although Ariel Dorfman does have personal experience of watching his country Chile go through tremendous social upheavals and appalling suffering at the hands of its ruling elite. He prefers to look at the effects that come afterwards.

One of the things that drew me to this play was the relationship between the characters and their motivations. Can we possibly imagine how these two people Gerardo (Chris Bennett) and Paulina (Elinor Morgan......Jones) stayed together before and after Paulinas incarceration? Can a person love so much they will endure degradation and debasement to keep their partner safe? Can this person overcome their physical abuse enough to sustain a loving relationship? What would that relationship be like?

How would Gerardo regard his wife and how can he bring her back to a normal life? In the middle of the night, his wife ties up a stranger in the middle of their living room and accuses him of raping and torturing her. How would you react?

How do you react when youre helped out a man in the middle of the night and his wife then ties you up and accuses you of hideous crimes. Or how would we feel to have hidden a secret for so long only to have it revealed so dramatically?

The doctor (Peter Medd) is an enigma, I leave you all to make your own decisions as to his innocence or his guilt. Much to my delight, we had a split decision amongst ourselves and this has led to some fascinating rehearsals.

This team of actors has been challenged by the text and by the characters and they have risen to it with intelligence and ability. Supported by the huge experience of the technical crew, they have produced a moving and frightening piece of theatre.

Come Enjoy. Be moved .

I look forward to hearing your thoughts Mines a bottle of Bud.

James Newall, director

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