The Maids
	by Jean Genet Directed by Ruth Sullivan
	Tuesday 15th - Saturday 19th November, 2011	The Tower Theatre performing at Theatro Technis

"Ruth Sullivan has done a marvellous job of directing Jean Genet's powerful evocation of the micro/macro-politics of oppression!"

"Great performance and direction, I loved it all round."

"This production is utterly extraordinary and thrilling. Don't miss it!"

"A great use of the stage with a super, intriguing set and brilliant lighting. "All-in-all a powerful production. Very intense, dark and brilliant."

"I thought the performances, from three of the Tower's strongest actresses, were superb; the set, sound and lighting were beautifully judged and the whole experience was deeply unsettling. Well done to all involved!"

"It was great! Dark, funny and moving. Fantastic performance."

"Still reeling from The Maids at Theatro Technis. Horrid, horrid stuff - brilliantly done!!"

"Superb performances, fantastic direction, stunning design - Theatro Technis is unrecognisable! And yes, VERY HORRID!! Loved it!"

"C'est formaidable! - Don't miss it."

"A wonderful opening night for The Maids. Seriously - you should see this. It's small and intense, like coffee, or perfume or licqueur, with the best use of the space at Theatro Technis that I can remember. It deserves your attention. The dress that Madame wore was to die for by the way!"

Photography by Alexander Knapp

Cast   Solange Meryl Griffiths Claire Philippa Tatham Madame Claire Lane

Production Team Director : Ruth Sullivan Set & Costume Design : Aaron Marsden Lighting Design : Robin Snowdon Sound Design : Ruth Sullivan Stage Manager/ Assistant Director : Alexa Poch Assistant Stage Managers : Luise Weine, Sujaya Dasgupta Lighting Operator : Michelle Roebuck Sound Operator : Liz Jardine Smith Set Construction : Michael Bettell and members of the cast & crew

	Meryl Griffiths studied drama at ALRA and toured for some years before merging theatre with business and becoming a presentation skills trainer. A Tower member since 1998, notable roles include Eleanor in Dead Funny, Jessica in Hysteria, Bertha in Jane Eyre, Mrs Mercy in The Killing of Sister George, Donna in Kvetch, Grace in Faith Healer and most recently Mrs Robinson in The Graduate. Having worked as a mother's help and a char during the school holidays at a young impressionable age clearly left its mark. She is looking forward to getting her own back in The Maids.			Philippa Tatham has appeared in several Tower productions as everything from whores and nuns to dormice and schoolboys. She also worked with The Maids team of Ruth Sullivan and Alexandra Poch on the Tower's Paris tour of Macbeth earlier this year, where she was one of the Weird Sisters.
	Claire Lane is a recent recruit of the Tower Theatre Company and The Maids is her first production with them. Art school trained (Wimbledon College of Art's theatre school), she found her lifelong interest in dance re-directed towards storytelling and acting and with subsequent drama training at City Lit and The Actors Temple to sharpen her skills, has now moved into theatre and film work. Claire's main inspiration is the news reporter, Kate Adie, a storyteller who spoke from the front line and is constantly surprised where the reluctant child actor ended up. She works as an actor, writer and model and lives in east London.

 

Read cast member Claire Lane's Diary on preparations for the show