The Maids

By Jean Genet

Directed by David M. Jenkins

Apr. 29 – May 22, 2016

Thu. – Sat. 8pm, Sun. 4pm

Tickets: $28

Preview Performances: Apr. 27 – 28 | Wed. – Thr. 8pm | Tickets: $14

Shimberg Playhouse, Straz Center for the Performing Arts

Based on a true story: two sisters ritualistically act out fantasies of committing a murder. Suspenseful, strange, and sexy, this potent and poetic psychodrama will keep you guessing until the lights go black!

The Maids was French poet, novelist, art critic, essayist, and film-maker Jean Genet’s first play to be produced, coming hot on the heels of the publication of his most famous book, Our Lady of Flowers. It is inspired by the famous 1933 French murder trial of Christine and Lea Papin, two sisters employed as maids, who gruesomely killed their employer and her adult daughter.

The most original and provocative writer of his generation

In The Maids two sisters role-play while the lady of the house is away, acting out fantasies of both love and revenge. As the games intensify, the incipient violence escalates as they await Madame’s return from a romantic rendezvous.

Genet’s potent and poetic psychodrama explores power, dominance and submission, class struggles, and the various ways we role-play and create illusions in our daily lives. The Maids is a highly and self-consciously theatrical play that builds a palpable level of suspense and mystery as it goes.

One of the most unremittingly moving works in the modernist repertory.

Please Note

There will be a five minute hold after the curtain on late seating.

Georgia Mallory Guy and Katrina Stevenson in Jobsite's The Maids. (Photo: Crawford Long.)

Media

The Maids Review Reel

https://vimeo.com/431937129We produced Jean Genet’s The Maids in 2016 to great acclaim including a Best of the Bay Award from Creative Loafing. Georgia Mallory Guy, Roxanne

Read More »

Interviews

The Maids Cast and Director on WMNF’s Art In Your Ear (jump to 24:30)

Previews

‘The Maids’ means to spark debate among Straz Center audiences – Tampa Tribune

Onstage This Week: May 2–8 – American Theatre

Cast & Crew

  • David M. Jenkins – Director
  • Vivian Rodriguez – Production Stage Manager

Cast

  • Roxanne Fay – Madame
  • Georgia Mallory Guy – Solange
  • Katrina Stevenson – Claire

Crew

  • Sylvette Fay – Stitcher
  • David M. Jenkins – Sound Designer and Properties
  • Matthew Ray – Rehearsal Stage Manager
  • Brian M. Smallheer – Scenic Designer

Patron Reviews

Blog Us

Want to add a groovy graphic like this to your blog or website?

Jobsite provides a variety of cool banners that you can put on your website. AND they update automatically. So just drop it in once, and when we’re ready for our next show, we’ll update the graphic, and it’ll automatically update on your site too!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.