Maids, The

Photo credit Tommy Ga Ken Wan

Award-winning director and designer Stewart Laing brings his unique aesthetic style to this new interpretation of Jean Genet’s notorious play, in a new translation by Martin Crimp. This enduring masterpiece simultaneously explores the illusion of theatre and the psychology of retribution. Read more …

Two maids and their mistress: three women locked into a repetitive and abusive cycle of domination and submission.

While the mistress is out of the apartment, Claire and Solange raid her wardrobe and indulge in secret, ritualistic role-play; acting out the scenes of daily domestic arrogance with which she has earned their hatred. As their obsessive power games spiral out of control, fantasy and reality become blurred, with lethal consequences.

Loosely based on the true story of the Papin sisters who shocked French society in the 1930s when they brutally murdered their mistress and her daughter.

True to Genet’s original anarchic vision, the three women will be played by young men.

The critical consensus

Kudos to Laing for bringing a fresh, energetic approach- however over-egged.

Lorna Irvine, Across the Arts, 20/01/2013

The performances from the two young leads (Ross Mann and Scott Reid) are so dynamic that they quickly dispel any fears that this production is just a coldly academic exercise.

(*) Allan Radcliffe, The List, 21/01/2013

If only the bold production ideas were equalled by the performances.

(*) (*) (*) Mark Fisher, The Guardian, 22/01/2013

More Laing than Genet, this bold, flawed work is worth seeing.

Clare Brennan, The Observer, 27/01/2013

The acting is raw, patchy, sometimes out if its depth, but always compelling.

(*) Joyce McMillan 24/01/2013

Indeed, the piece is at its best when the actors are least encumbered by Laing’s erratic dramaturgy, and most at liberty to dwell upon the psychological and violent implications of the play.

Mark Brown, Scottish Stage, 28/01/2013