De Stroyed
Based on a number of books and writings by
Simone de Beauvoir including La Femme
rompue/The Woman Destroyed.
Director/Co-creator – Suzanne Chaundy
Performer/Co-creator – Jillian Murray
Video Artist – Zoe Scoglio
Composer – Christopher de Groot
Production Manager/Lighting Designer – Andy
Turner
Stage Manager – Lachlan O’Connor
AV Technician – Andre Vanderwert
45 Downstairs
16 – 27th May 2018
Jillian Murray and Suzanne Chaundy have
created a beautifully refined work based on their personal responses to some of
the acute realizations of Simone de Beauvoir as expressed through her writing. The themes seem, most pertinently, about the
deep pain of betrayal in a marriage and some shifts in sense of personal power
and vulnerability experienced through aging.
Video Artist Zoe Scoglio and Composer
Christopher de Groot sensitively and expertly support Murray’s delivery of the
text. Through video Murray’s face is penetratingly
examined again and again. This
metaphorically mirrors the way Beauvoir examined her own thoughts, emotions and
understandings.
De Stroyed is staged as a static work
dependent on the beautifully modulated and very clear vocal skills of Murray
and the projected images on the simple white screens that surround her. These could be viewed as the empty white
pages of a book.
De Stroyed will probably be best
appreciated by audiences who have some knowledge of Beauvoir, arguably one of
the most brilliant Philosophers of the 20th century. However my plus one thoroughly enjoyed this
production as a tantalizing introduction to her writing and is now very keen to
read more.
At the very least this engrossing work pays
rich homage to Simone de Beauvoir and her life examined. It offers devotees of, and those interested
in, this extraordinary woman, a very fine opportunity to reflect on some of her
profound and illuminating insights.
Suzanne Sandow
(For Stage Whispers)
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