Play Review: “The Maids” - Jawad Al Assadi
Before the lights even go out, the elevated and significantly slanted metal stage announces great promise. And as soon as the two ‘maids’ Carol Abboud and Nada Abou Farhat stagger onto the stage, you can feel the weight of Jawad Al Assadi’s careful direction in every taken step.
Initially part of the ‘Jean Genet Through Arab Eyes’ festival back in October, Iraqi director Jawad Al Assadi’s second rendition of ‘The Maids’ (Al Khadimatan) is still running at Babel Theater, and the reason for that is plain to see.
The spoken dialogue in classical Arabic is the fascinating translation of Jean Genet’s original text, uttered with great involvement and grace by the two actresses who embody the characters of sister maids ‘Claire’ (Nada Abou Farhat) and ‘Solange’ (Carol Abboud) so perfectly.
In a looping failing fantasy of killing ‘Madame’ whom they serve wretchedly, the sisters put the manifestation of ‘female hysteria’ on display.
Total desperation, loathing of themselves and each other and sadomasochism are merely a few of the maids’ occupations while ‘Madame’ is away, complete with role-playing dress up time in their mistress’s clothing, jewels and heels.
They may seem equally insane at first glance, but a closer look at their behavior will reveal that Claire is actually more of a nervous wreck than Solange is – if that’s even possible. Though they take equal turns portraying both sides of the power divide, Claire is depicted as the more vulnerable, more naïve sibling, while Solange has a more manipulative and sinister side and may be slightly more ‘together’.
The play then escalades to a dramatic and surprising denouement that is both thrilling and breathtaking to partake in. Do NOT miss.
Diane Farah
