Theatre Review: Death and the Maiden

Theatre Review: Death and the Maiden

29 June, Harrogate Theatre Written by Ariel Dorfman; directed by Rachel Conyers

Death and the Maiden tells the story of former political prisoner Paulina Salas, an acutely anxious woman trapped by the trauma of having endured and then escaped capture, torture and rape by the secret service. It’s been fifteen years since she escaped and started a new life with her husband, a human rights lawyer. However, she still can’t leave the house or hear anyone walking towards her home without going into a blind panic. One day her husband has a flat tyre, and the person who helps him is Dr Roberto Miranda, a doctor who participated in the rape and torture of Paulina. Paulina decides that she’s had enough, and that she will be vindicated.

We sat silently, genuinely heartbroken for this poor woman who stood before us, crumbling under the pressure of fifteen years of trauma. I took delight in watching her transform from a scared and extremely obedient housewife to a raging force that neither her husband nor her abuser could tame. I felt myself travelling through the variety of emotions alongside Paulina. I felt the same fire in my belly that so evidently made Paulina determined to get justice.

Dr Roberto Miranda did a splendid job of

planting a small seed of doubt in our minds as to whether he was guilty. He portrayed a cold fear that you felt delighted to watch if you believed that Paulina could not be mistaken in recognising her torturer, but it difficult to watch the prospect of her vengeance being directed at the wrong person.

Paulina’s husband very successfully showed genuine love and care towards his wife, and a determination to bring justice to the victims of the secret service, which was admirable. However he did a frustratingly good job of placing Paulina firmly under his chauvinistic thumb with gestures that were subtle but made you furious on Paulina’s behalf. He also very eloquently portrayed how excruciating he found his position as mediator between Paulina and Roberto.

An exemplary performance and I was deeply moved. It stayed on my mind for several hours afterwards. A harrowing masterpiece in which the underlying themes of post traumatic stress, justice, democracy and female vindication are so important.

Review by Jennifer Jackson