Two maids, Solange and Claire, unable to escape their dismal, subjugated lives, and torn by both love and loathing of their Mistress, visualise dark and destructive scenarios to eliminate her. As their imaginations take hold and the action builds to a frenzy, so does the fear, excitement and thrill in this devious and violent triangle of love, hatred and disgust.
Genet uses the themes of jealousy, murder and betrayal and subverts them with his own disturbing games of language, transgression and transformation.
A stunning, gothic style thriller with exceptional performances.
A fascinating production, full of ideas and intelligence.
An electrifying piece of class war based grand guignol.
This production needs a bit of energising if it is to justify the revival of Genet’s landmark play rather than letting it be obliterated by the sands of time.
What undoubtedly raises this new production above so many others is the strength of the cast.
A noble attempt, then, to bring new blood to the play, with three hugely enjoyable, strong performances, but the overall effect is as clean as the Mistress's spit and polished high heels.
At times it feels as though everyone is too restrained, as though unwilling to really let rip, but this is nonetheless an intelligent take on a play engaged with the essence of theatrical performance.
Disappointingly bloodless.
Eve Jamieson--Jean Genet and The Maids
Dundee Rep Theatre, Dundee from Tuesday October 17, 2017, until Saturday November 4, 2017. More info: www.dundeereptheatre.co.uk
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