THE MAIDS

Sibling rivalry, class envy and high fashion: a combustible combination

4 Jun — 20 Jul 2013

Sydney Theatre

$50 - $105

'Blanchett's and Huppert's performances are master-classes.'
The Australian

Warning! Contains strong language and adult themes.

Sydney Theatre Company and
Colonial First State Global Asset Management present
THE MAIDS
By Jean Genet
In a new translation by Benedict Andrews and Andrew Upton

Sibling rivalry, class envy and high fashion: a combustible combination in this short, sharp reworking of French bad boy of letters Jean Genet's 1947 play.

Genet loosely based his tale on the true story of the Papin sisters, maids convicted of killing their employer. His version of the tale depicts a series of sadomasochistic rituals in which housemaids Solange and Claire fantasise about killing their madame while - naturally - dressing up in her outfits.

Who better to realise this uncanny scenario than director Benedict Andrews - recently acclaimed here and in Europe for his lean and insightful production of Gross und Klein (Big and Small).

And as the maids? None other than Cate Blanchett and French screen legend Isabelle Huppert.

With a stellar creative team comprised of designer Alice Babidge and lighting designer Nick Schlieper, The Maids surely promises to be one of the theatre events of the year.

Duration: 1 hour 45 mins (no interval)
Latecomers will not be admittted.
Times:  Mon 6.30pm; Tues - Sat 7.30pm; Wed 1pm; Sat 1.30pm


Previews  4 - 7 June
Season  8 June - 20 July
Mon 6.30pm; Tues - Sat 7.30pm; Wed 1pm; Sat 1.30pm


Single ticket prices
Previews
A Reserve $80
Restricted view $60

In-season performances
A Reserve $99
B Reserve $85
C Reserve Restricted view $60
D Reserve Restricted view $35

Saturday evening
A Reserve $105
B Reserve $85
C Reserve Restricted view $60
D Reserve Restricted view $35

Please call Box Office on (02) 9250 1777 for more info about restricted view seats.

Transaction fees may apply 


Season Ticket prices
Saturday evening $90
Adult $85
Seniors cardholder $75
Concession $65
Preview $70
Under 30 $50


Pre-season Briefing
Monday 27 May 6.15pm
At the Wharf

Audi Night with the Actors
Monday 1 July 6.30pm

Auslan performance
Thursday 4 July 7.30pm

Audio described performance and 11.30am tactile tour
Saturday 6 July 1.30pm

Captioned performances
Friday 12 July 7.30pm
Wednesday 17 July 1pm

Pier Group Lunch
Monday 13 May 12pm

Director Benedict Andrews
Designer Alice Babidge
Lighting Designer Nick Schlieper
Composer Oren Ambarchi
Sound Designer Luke Smiles
Sound System Designer Adam Iuston
Video Designer and Operator Sean Bacon
Video System Designer Shane Johnson
Dramaturg Matthew Whittet
Assistant to the Designer Sophie Fletcher

With
Cate Blanchett, Isabelle Huppert, Elizabeth Debicki

Photo Michele Aboud and Kate Barry

'To bring together two actors of such greatness is wonderful, but to bring them together in such a play as this is brilliant.' The Australian

'Huppert and Blanchett are magnificent, playing the extremity of their characters with an icily passionate precision. Debicki, in the challenging position of playing against two of the most famous actors of our time, meets them with a fearless performance, cruel, vulgar and meretricious.' ABC Arts 

'Stellar, layered performances breathe energy into this darkly poetic work.' The Huffington Post

Features and interviews
Sydney Morning Herald: Narrative threads, Alice Babidge interview
Sydney Morning Herald: The girl with no face, Isabelle Huppert interview
Sydney Morning Herald: Sexual fantasy offers glimpse inside the outsiders, Benedict Andrews interview
The Australian: Maids of dishonour, Cate Blanchett and Elizabeth Debicki
Sydney Morning Herald: When hired help turns to horror
The Telegraph: Elizabeth Debicki touted as the breakout star of The Great Gatsby

LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Season 4 Jun - 20 Jul
Start by selecting a date on the calendar

Limited tickets may be released daily. Please call the Box Office on (02) 9250 1777 for more information or to make a booking.

Tickets available
Multiple performance times
Limited availabilty
Allocation exhausted