THE MAIDS

By Jean Genet

The Maids at the Greenwich Playhouse Showing at the Greenwich Playhouse - The Maids

“…a truly contemporary take on Genet’s murderous play.”
Homovision

Following a successful weeklong run at the Etcetera Theatre, Nomads of Bazar are transferring Jean Genet’s classic, The Maids, to the Greenwich Playhouse. The play was last performed in Greenwich* in 1974 and starred Glenda Jackson, Susannah York and Vivien Merchant, who all went on to act in the successful film of the same name.

In the secrecy of Madame’s boudoir, surrounded by a sweet scent of gladioli and mimosa, two sisters viciously plot revenge against their employer...

Loosely based on the infamous Papin sisters, who brutally murdered their employer and her daughter, Nomads of Bazar’s take on The Maids is staged as a truly modern tale of the beautiful and the damned.

Fusing pop culture and our obsession with the media in the 21st century, The Maids challenges the boundaries between love, sexuality and criminal intent.

The Maids stars Emilija Ellen (Blind Fate) as Solange, the eldest sister and driving force in the plot to kill Madame. The bolshie and extravagant employer, Madame is played by Claire Spence (Primeval, Doctors). Completing the line up is Irena Grgona (Bad Cake) who plays younger sister Claire; sensitive, slightly unhinged and easily led by Solange…or so it seems. Directing the cast is Gael Colin (Dangerous Corner, Much Ado About Nothing).

Emilija Ellen comments, “Madame always means well and truly believes that her maids worship the ground she walks on. However, her love for Monsieur consumes her, leaving her completely unaware of the murderous plot the sisters are hatching.”

Claire Spence adds, “It’s been a wonderful challenge to play the role of the feisty Madame and bring Genet’s script to life for a new and contemporary audience. This is a play that will set your imagination on fire and leave you begging for more!”

Nomads of Bazar’s The Maids is a production that will assault all your senses! Fast paced and as time pressured as the world we live in today, it questions, unsettles and moves. Bittersweet and haunting, it stays with the audience long after the play has finished…

9th June - 5th July 2009
Tues-Sat @ 8pm | Sun @ 4pm
Tickets: £12; £10 (Conc.)
Box office 020 8858 9256 | boxoffice@galleontheatre.co.uk

For interview requests, images or further information please contact Claire or Chris on nomadsofbazar@yahoo.co.uk

*Last performed at the Greenwich Theatre in 1974 by Glenda Jackson, Susannah York & Vivien Merchant.

NEWS UPDATE

Alice de Sousa, Artistic Director of the Greenwich Playhouse and Galleon Theatre Company’s, wins award.