Death and the Maiden Death and the Maiden
Melville Theatre
Melville Theatre
6 May 2016 to 21 May 2016
View Session Times
Tickets
Tickets are $20, $15 concession book on 9330 4565 or at www.meltheco.org.au.
Duration - 120 mins
Restrictions/Warnings
Not suitable for children


  
   
StageCenta App
Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store
Synopsis
AN Olivier Award-winning play comes to Melville Theatre this May, looking at what happens when a former political prisoner confronts her alleged tormentor years later.

Written by Chilean playwright Ariel Dorfman and directed by Lars Jensen, Death and the Maiden is a psychological thriller set against the backdrop of an unspecified post-dictatorship country.

When a stranger calls one night, his voice triggers a memory in Paulina Salas – one she has long tried to suppress.

Years ago, when she was blindfolded, abducted and held as a political prisoner, Paulina never saw her captor.

But she did hear him and decides to take matters into her own hands to prove the stranger is the same man.

In 1994, Roman Polanski directed a film adaptation of the play, featuring Sigourney Weaver and Ben Kingsley.

The play’s title comes from the Schubert’s composition Death and the Maiden, which was played constantly during Paulina’s ordeal.

“Written in the wake of the Pinochet regime in Chile, Death and the Maiden boldly explores the intricacies of truth, memory and the morality of retribution,” Jensen said.

“Today, the story still resonates strongly as we watch dictatorships crumble across our world.

“During rehearsals, we have digressed into lengthy discussions about our research into female political prisoners, the effect on the women, what countries have been responsible and how similar the reports are from different countries – it’s a subject that has really captivated us.

“We will be playing against a white set to symbolise the play could take place in any of many countries.”

Previously directing musicals at Melville and Stirling Theatres, Jensen has staged A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, A Chorus Line, Blood Brothers and Sweet Charity.

Last year, he directed the play Equus which received nine nominations at the annual Finley Awards, picking up runner-up best play, best actor in a play, best supporting actress in a play and the Brenda Stanley Award for costumes.

Jensen also manages Lady Wardle Performing Arts Centre at St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School.

There were many aspects about Death and the Maiden that made him want to explore the play on stage.

“There are reports that the torture experienced by the main character is happening all over the world,” Jensen said.

“The rape of female political prisoners is not synonymous with one single regime – it has happened in so many countries and still continues.

“In January this year, ISIS sent a letter to their followers detailing that raping female prisoners would turn them into Muslims.

“I am sure the latest statements from presidential candidate Donald Trump, about using torture to extract information, will leave this interrogation method wide open.” 

Death and the Maiden plays at 8pm May 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 with a 2pm matinee May 15. Tickets are $20, $15 concession – book on 9330 4565 or at www.meltheco.org.au.

Melville Theatre is on the corner of Stock Road and Canning Highway, Palmyra.

Previous Shows
QuizQuiz
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 27 May 2023
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18-$23
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Neil Simon's Plaza SuiteNeil Simon's Plaza Suite
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 4 Mar 2023
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18-$23
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Things I Know To Be TrueThings I Know To Be True
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 12 Nov 2022
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18-$23
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Henrik Ibsen's GhostsHenrik Ibsen's Ghosts
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 20 Aug 2022
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18-$23
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Firebringer  The MusicalFirebringer The Musical
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 21 May 2022
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $25-$30
Duration - 120 mins
 Musical
The Appleton Ladies Potato RaceThe Appleton Ladies Potato Race
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 26 Feb 2022
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18-$23
Duration - 90 mins
 Play
William Shakespeares Long Lost First Play (abridged) William Shakespeares Long Lost First Play (abridged)
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 4 Dec 2021
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18 - $23
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Clue On StageClue
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 25 Sep 2021
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $20-$25
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
The DresserThe Dresser
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 17 Jul 2021
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18 - $23
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
IncognitoIncognito
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 22 May 2021
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18-$23
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Summer ShortsSummer Shorts
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 20 Feb 2021
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18-$23
Duration - 120
 Play
Old LoveOld Love
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 5 Dec 2020
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $18-$23
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Next To NormalNext To Normal
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 5 Sep 2020
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $25-$30
Duration - 120 mins
 Musical
Summer ShortsSummer Shorts
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 22 Feb 2020
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Six Dance Lessons in Six WeeksSix Dance Lessons in Six Weeks
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 7 Dec 2019
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
The NightwatchmanThe Nightwatchman
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 28 Sep 2019
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Veronica's RoomVeronica's Room
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 20 Jul 2019
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 90 mins
 Play
Jane Austen's Sense and SensibilityJane Austen's Sense and Sensibility
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 18 May 2019
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Tim Winton's ShrineTim Winton's Shrine
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 2 Mar 2019
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 90 mins
 Play
Wonderful WorldWonderful World
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 8 Dec 2018
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Cash On DeliveryCash On Delivery
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 29 Sep 2018
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
UrinetownUrinetown
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 21 Jul 2018
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $20-$25
Duration - 120 mins
 Musical
Mr Bailey's MinderMr Bailey's Minder
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 12 May 2018
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Venus in FurVenus In Fur
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 3 Mar 2018
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
JumpyJumpy
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 2 Dec 2017
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Stop KissStop Kiss
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 23 Sep 2017
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 90 mins
 Play
The Secret GardenThe Secret Garden
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 15 Jul 2017
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $20-$25
Duration - 100 mins
 Musical
The Mozart FactionThe Mozart Faction
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 22 Apr 2017
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 90 mins
 Play
One Man, Two GuvnorsOne Man, Two Guvnors
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 10 Dec 2016
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Barefoot in the ParkBarefoot in the Park
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 17 Sep 2016
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Under The Blue SkyUnder The Blue Sky
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 23 Jul 2016
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Death and the MaidenDeath and the Maiden
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 21 May 2016
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Inside Job: mystery thriller keeps em guessing Inside Job: mystery thriller keeps em guessing
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 5 Mar 2016
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Looking Back: magical medley of musicalsLooking Back: magical medley of musicals
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 5 Dec 2015
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Musical
Love, Loss and What I WoreLove, Loss and What I Wore
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 19 Sep 2015
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
 Equus Equus
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 23 May 2015
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120 mins
 Play
Summer Shorts: three one-act playsSummer Shorts: three one-act plays
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 7 Mar 2015
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 100 mins
 Play
Wife After DeathWife After Death
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 6 Dec 2014
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120
 Play
Spike HeelsSpike Heels
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 27 Sep 2014
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15 - $20
 Musical
Nol's Coward's Relative ValuesNoel Coward's Relative Values
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 26 Jul 2014
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120
 Play
Twelve Angry MenTwelve Angry Men
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 17 May 2014
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 120
 Play
David Williamson's Don Parties OnDavid Williamson's Don Parties On
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 8 Mar 2014
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $15-$20
Duration - 150 mins
 Play
Audience with Murder: puzzle-like play all in the tellingAudience with Murder: puzzle-like play all in the telling
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 30 Nov 2013
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $14-$18
Duration - 150 mins
 Play
Making Twelfth Night a delight: finding the fun in ShakespeareMaking Twelfth Night a delight: finding the fun in Shakespeare
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 6 Jul 2013
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $14-$18
Duration - 150 minutes
 Play
Rabbit HoleRabbit Hole
Melville Theatre
Show finished on 27 Apr 2013
Melville Theatre
Tickets - $14-$18
Duration - 150 minutes
 Play
Copyright © 2014,2020 Inbizecom Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.