A case-study of the devised intercultural and interdisciplinary performance piece playing 'the maids' in which the nine artists involved each offer their cultural and artistic perspective on the processes and practices.
Playing 'the maids' was a newly co-created performance, using, as creative inspiration, Jean Genet's modernist drama Les Bonnes (The Maids, 1947). Playing 'the maids' was a montage of text in multiple languages, psychophysical scores, choreography and sound compositions.
This focused case-study demonstrates an example of contemporary intercultural performance practice in the current globalized environment with each artist commenting from his/her distinctive and specific socio-cultural/artistic/disciplinary perspective.
It is made up of critical analyses, personal reflections and creative responses to the piece. Issues considered include the directorial overview; dramaturgical perspective; analysis from a musical perspective; how to manage translation/adaptation in devised performance; adapting and devising in a collaborative context; description and analysis of the microscopic moments of acting and actor-training; and ways of documenting performance scores.
Playing 'the maids' was nominated for a Best Ensemble award in Wales Theatre Awards 2016 and enthusiastically received by the critics. The artists included award-winning playwright and dramaturge Katie O'Reilly and internationally renowned director, intercultural performer trainer and scholar Phillip Zarrilli, together with seven performers, comprising artists and practice-based researchers working in an international context. By capturing the multiple voices of these international and multi-faceted artists, this book offers an alternative approach to some of the seminal discourses from the '80s and '90s around intercultural performance.