Marat/Sade

The New Theatre in Newtown has mounted some 550 productions since its inception in 1932, and from the beginning they’ve done things their way, not conforming but being driven by passion and not money to promote artistic and social expression.

This theatre has over the years presented the smaller scale ‘intelligent’ productions for ‘thinking audiences’ who expect to be mentally stimulated by high quality non-mainstream theatrical productions.

Currently playing is Marat/Sade, a production which changed theatre forever when it premiered in the1960’s. Described as a ‘bawdy, bloody unrelenting political parable of class struggle and human suffering’ this is one of the most ambitious productions ever presented at this theatre, with a cast of over 20 performers.

German writer Peter Weiss gained international success with this play, the American production being awarded a Tony Award in 1966. Translated from German into English by Geoffrey Skelton and Adrian Mitchel, this play-within-a-play is set in 1808 in the bath hall of a French asylum where Marquis de Sade (a French aristocrat) performed plays with inmates during his imprisonment. A re-enactment is presented of the vicious murder of radical Marat by the unhinged partisan and fellow revolutionary Charlotte Corday.

Theatre enthusiasts disinterested in the larger style Broadway productions currently on offer may be mesmerized and entertained by this alternate theatrical experience. (MMo)

Oct 5–Nov 5; Thu-Sat 7.30pm, Sun 5pm. New Theatre, 542 King Street, Newtown. $27-$32. Tickets & info: www.newtheatre.org.au

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