Orto-Da Theatre Production of Death and the Maiden

Ariel Dorfman’s play Death and the Maiden makes a riveting appearance on the Israeli scene in an adaptation by Amir Orian and Avi Gibson Barel, an Orto-Da Theatre production directed by Avi Gibson Barel, showing at The Room Theatre in Tel Aviv.

Dorfman’s play, written in 1990, is set in a country where a democratic government has been established after a period of dictatorship and terror. Paulina Salas (Yael Nevi) is a woman who had been held captive, tortured and brutally raped by the oppressive regime, she is now married to Gerardo Escobar (Elhai Levit), an attorney recently appointed by the new government to investigate the crimes of the past and bring the offenders to justice. Dr. Roberto Miranda (Zeev Shimshoni) appears into their lives and Paulina believes she recognizes his voice as that of her former captor and rapist, and holds him captive, intending to try him for his crimes.

Gibson Barel has staged a unique environment for the play that plunges the audience into the turmoil of this dramatic triangle. Set in the intimate venue of The Room Theatre, which is actually a room, the audience is physically close to the action; the actors are literally close enough to touch. It’s a challenging environment: every nuance of the actors’ expression and gesture is visible. The actors likewise, can sense even the most subtle reaction of the audience.

The performances of all three actors are excellent, all three work together to create a scenario in which one’s sympathies and beliefs are constantly questioned and tested. The costumes establish a visual set of alliances and different planes of existence: Paulina is dressed in a white slip, while both men are in business attire. Video interludes set a mood and provide a visual commentary on the play’s themes; another channel of expression that interacts with the actors’ dialogues, suggesting an internal reality and at the same time relating to the external context.

It’s an emotionally charged play that raises questions about the different moral and legal codes one lives by, the way that we relate to the stories and pain of others, and the ways in which information is transmitted and evaluated. Do we and should we, believe what we hear and see? Whom should we believe and on what basis? How do we define justice?

Raising disturbing questions, expressing pain that is almost palpable and acknowledging issues that are difficult to accept, such as the uneasy intimacy that exists between tormentor and victim; it is theatre that challenges the audience, a play that shakes up one’s complacency, offering no easy conclusions.

Next performances: November 22, 27 & 29 at 20:30. The Room Theatre, 8 HaRav Kook Street, Tel Aviv 03-5171818, 050-8497715.

Death and the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman
Adaptation: Amir Orian and Avi Gibson Barel
Director, Set design and environment: Avi Gibson Barel
Actors/creators: Elhay Levit, Zeev Shimshoni, Yael Nevi
Artistic consultant: Amir Orian – Room Theatre
Assistant director: Rinat Moscona; Visual consultant and costume design: Dalit Inbar; Cinematography and video editing: Ofek Brisker; Sound editing: Yinon Tzafrir; Movement consultant: Daniel Zaafrani; Dramaturgy: Ifat Zandani Tzafrir; Orto-Da Artistic Director: Yinon Tzafrir

Orto-Da Theatre Group Production