An intimate venue like the New Wimbledon Studio, London, is a very effective venue for Ariel Hoffman's chilling play about the long term ramifications of torture.
This is a play about a victim who meets her torturer fifteen years after the event has taken place and her reaction to the situation. In total darkness the action opens with a crackly voice asking the audience imagine how they'd feel if they were suddenly sitting at the same table as their torturer.
The lights go on and a table set for two is revealed—a troubled woman paces. Illuminated Productions sets the scene well and continues to maintain the atmosphere.
This is Chile, 1991. Gerardo is a high flying lawyer with a forensic attitude to the truth who is set to head a "truth and reconciliation" commission to address the atrocities of the Pinochet regime. His wife Paulina is one of those who suffered. As a student she was kidnapped, raped and tortured.
The worst of her psychological abuse was at the hands of a sadistic doctor whose cruelty transcended the others' because it was so intelligent and calculating. Boorish thugs after all can be forgiven because what more can you expect of them? The doctor was systematic, playing Franz Schubert string quartet Death and the Maiden over and over again whilst he violated his blindfolded hostage.
Paulina recognised the voice of the doctor in a stranger who comes to the house. This is a man who helped Gerardo when his car broke down and has returned to offer further assistance. While they talk Paulina quakes in another room. This is a very interesting premise—indeed, how would you feel if faced with your torturer? Only two courses of action are open; to pretend that it didn't happen or confront them.
This is the issue explored—surely you can't just chit chat with your torturer and make him cups of tea, but perhaps Paulina's reaction is a little strong. She ties and gags her victim and at gunpoint tries to forces him to confess to what he's done. Is she not stooping as low as him?
This production allows you to suspend your disbelief entirely. There are three people directly in front of you playing out a tense dramatic situation in the domestic scene. There is a clever interplay between the actors and you are convinced. So, never boring, entirely engaging and thought provoking—this is an evocative production of great play which leaves you thinking long after you've left the theatre.
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