“The Maids”, written by the French playwright, Jean Genet, received its premiere in Paris in 1947. I can imagine that many people watching a performance in the twenty-first century in England, will find “The Maids” … different? Unusual? Disturbing? Very likely. But it’s also dramatic, gripping, and thought-provoking.

The play has a cast of three characters, two of whom are the sisters, Solange and Claire. They are employed as maids by the third character, the wealthy, highly-emotional “Madame”. The entire action takes place in Madame’s boudoir – which is in full view as the audience enters the auditorium in the Arden’s production. The set is depicted in strong, almost clashing colours, and the atmosphere is further established by the muted sound of Philip Glass’ music (a well-chosen touch that subtly conveys a sense of foreboding).

Solange and Claire are driven almost to despair by the lowliness and subservience of their position in life. Together they fantasise about murdering their mistress, alternately role-playing scenes where they put
poison in her tea, each one taking turns in “playing” Madame. Suddenly Madame returns home and the sisters cunningly put the plot into action.

The entire play is presented in one uninterrupted act, which lasts about an hour and twenty minutes. It is a tour de force for all three actors, especially the two sisters, played with seamless conviction and great
dramatic intensity by Liberty Lines as Solange, and Laura Crawte as Claire. S-J Wnek also gives a fine performance as Madame, contrasting her self-centered attitude and lack of even the slightest empathy, with the desperation of her servants.

Caroline Lamoon is undoubtedly a talented director who explored Stanislavski and metatheatre with her cast to achieve a dramatic and powerful piece of theatre. As usual in productions at The Arden, the on-
stage cast is ably supported by the work of the unseen, but creative technical crew, all of whom are listed in the attractive and extremely informative programme.

“The Maids” is not the usual regional “AmDram” fare of romantic sitcoms and Agatha Christie-esque murder mysteries – nothing wrong with those offerings, and if that’s what you prefer, then more power to you!

But if you’re adventurous enough to try something different, something that will stretch your imagination (and maybe even shock you!), then don’t miss this extraordinary presentation of “The Maids” at the Arden.

E.B.