Friday 26 July 2013

The Maids


The Sydney Theatre Company recently completed a season of a new English translation of Jean Genet's play 'The Maids'. The plays is about two maids, sisters, who plot to kill their mistress because of the way she mistreats them. I suppose it is a drama but there is considerable broad humour and at times almost slapstick activity.

Featuring Cate Blanchett and French film star Isabelle Huppert the production came with the requisite star power for Sydney audiences and the planned European tour. The casting, though, was not beyond question despite the reputations of the two performers. They looked and sounded nothing like sisters and whilst Blanchett displayed much of her notable talent Huppert's performance was at times curious; almost a mime comedy. When Huppert spoke she did with an obvious accent and whilst for the most part her English diction was understandable, at times, especially when she had to speak quickly, her diction fell away and became difficult to comprehend.

The set was a lush bedroom cum lounge room with glass walls, a design to accommodate the video aspects. As a consequence the camera operators were often visible at the sides and back stage.

A large screen hanging from the backdrop displayed the action from various angles - side, above and below - and I, for one, became confused. Should I watch the screen or the stage? Was this a play with film or film with live action?

★★★

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