DEATH AND THE MAIDEN BY ARIEL DORFMAN
ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE :
Presenter: Moore Books, by arrangement with Origin (TM) Theatrical on behalf of Samuel French Limited
Fifteen years ago, Paulina Salas was held in detention and subjected to prolonged torture and abuse, blindfolded throughout the whole ordeal. Now the dictatorship that ruled her country has fallen and her husband, Gerardo, has been appointed to a commission set up to investigate human rights violations committed under the old regime. But the commission will only investigate cases that ended in death, the identities of the accused will be suppressed, and details of exactly what punishment the indicted will face are... vague.
On the night of his appointment, Gerardo gets a flat tyre on the way home and is assisted by a friendly stranger. Paulina only has to hear his voice from the next room to be convinced the "stranger" is one of her torturers. The next morning, Gerardo awakens to find his guest bound and gagged in a chair and Paulina standing over him wielding a handgun. This, she tells her husband, is the first case in his inquiry.
Ariel Dorfman wrote 'Death and the Maiden' in response to events in his home country of Chile. This award-winning play explores the effect of atrocity on the heart and soul, and asks how a society can function when victims of former oppression are asked to co-exist with its perpetrators.
ABOUT THE COMPANY:
Cast: Cheryl Douglas, Thorin Cupit, Nick Buckland.
Director: Kristin Telfer
REVIEWS
"A play with this much intelligence and integrity, presented in a way that is dramatically thrilling, really can’t afford to be missed." - Anthony Vawser Adelaide Theatre Guide
"Buckland gives enough humanity to his performance to keep you guessing and Cupit does well to play the middle man, but the outstanding performance by Douglas leaves you shaken to the core. Wonderfully complimented by the intimate performance space, this drama is not to be missed" - Kerry Cooper - TASA
TASA Review pdf