Scenes of domestic violence
In this psychological drama we get close to two couples. From the first encounter with its blossoming infatuation to later meetings when other matters take over: the vacant stare, the control impulse, the threats. Love is replaced, slowly but surely, by betrayal and rage, denial, cruelty and despair.
In this piece, French director Gérard Watkins spotlights and exposes the mechanisms of men’s violence against women. How it begins and how it changes. But he also shows a way out. Together with his actors and after workshops and conversations with prosecutors, psychologists, researchers and social workers, Watkins has written a unique and shattering play about violence in close relationships. The play, originally entitled Scenes de violence conjugale, has been performed with great success in France as well as in Poland and Italy. Gérard Watkins is a director and an actor. He has performed in a large number of theatre and film roles and is perhaps best known outside of France for his role in the film Taken from 2008. Since 1994 Watkins has directed a number of productions for the theatre company Perdita Ensemble of which he is the artistic director.
Photo: Ines Sebalj
Performed in Swedish, no English subtitles.
PRODUCTION
Text and Direction GÉRARD WATKINS Translation LISA LINDBERG Ensemble HANNAH ALEM DAVIDSON, KARIN DE FRUMERIE, JOHAN GRY, JOHAN HAFEZI, CAROLINE SÖDERSTRÖM Scenography GÉRARD WATKINS, HENRIK EKBERG Costume design GÉRARD WATKINS Dramaturge SISELA LINDBLOM Publisher PERDITA ENSEMBLE
