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Pate Directs Madwoman of Chaillot

The Madwoman of Chaillot, French playwright Jean Giraudoux's cleverly disguised political satire of occupied France, will be staged March 7-12 in the Wismer Theatre (PAC). "The play was written like a fairy tale, like a fable," said Pate. "Giraudoux talks about the controlling, blank, empty robotic people that rule the world. He contrasts the ruthlessness of the CEO's of Parisian business with the generosity of the street people."

Written in the 1940s, before the liberation of France, the play examines the class struggles and the greed of big business that were characteristic of the time. Realizing that power wrongfully resides in the hands of a select few and that change is necessary, four "madwomen" devise a plan to take back their beloved Paris.

Pate has set her play in contemporary Paris and explores the same themes within the context of concern over Y2K, conversion to the Euro, e-commerce, the stock market, and wealthy power figures. To blur the lines between audience and cast and strengthen the audience's sympathy for the characters, Pate will use an unusual two-story set that surrounds the audience. The stage will be transformed into a French café, where audience members will sit, complete with intimate tables, candles, and strolling food vendors. "The audience, to a certain extent, will become part of the environment, part of the scenery," said Pate.

Student costumers, working under the direction of Department of Theatre Arts faculty member Gail Holbrook, are creating stylized and colorful costumes. Updating the time period of the play allows Pate to plug into the vivacious and startling clothing and music of contemporary Paris.

Pate intends for the play to be provocative. "I think this play is a great educational vehicle for our audience. Hopefully, it will spur them to look at the world in a different way and question what is important and real here." See calendar for details. -- JL/UPE