 To
open their 1987-88 season, the Concord Players will present Jean Giradoux’s
comic fantasy “The Madwoman of Chaillot” beginning Nov. 13. The play
is directed by Dorothy Schechter and produced by Pamela Sturges and
Jean Reinhard.
Written
during the German occupation of Paris In 1942- 43, the play is set
on a note of hope “a little before noon in the spring of the next
year.” An unscrupulous consortium of rich and powerful men, having
discovered oil underneath the streets of Paris. propose to dig for
it. disregarding completely the consequences to that beautiful city
and its inhabitants. Ranged against them are the marvelously mad Countess
Aurelia. her equally fantastic friends Constance, Gabrlelle and Josphine
and the wonderfully raffish Parisiens who support them: the Ragpicker,
the Doorman, the Sewerman, the Juggler and the Street Singer.
|
JACK
SWEET of Concord researches his role as the Ragpicker in ‘The Madwoman
of Chaillot.’ Tickets for the satirical comedy go on sale Nov. 2 at
Richardson’s Drug Store.
|
Concord
residents in the cast include Joan Wood playing one of the Countess’
friends. Jack Sweet playing the Ragpicker, Freelon Morris, Lida Bander,
Bob Peters, Peter Davis, Mike Gowing, Michael Lydon, Bob Carter, Susan
Brinkhuis and a man known professionally as the Rogue, playing the Juggler.
Diane Hocker of Calisle will appear as the Flower Girl. |
Schecter
finds “The Madwoman” to be a universally relevant play. a 20th century
classic with a serious message underlying the fantasy and satire. She
sees it as as an eminently theatrical play whose visual elements — the
costumes, the scenery, the lights — combine to create a sense of pure
fun. The mad countess — if she is mad — represents the power of the
individual to do good. What is madness? What Is truth? These are powerful
questions, no less powerful for being left unanswered.
|
