The Maids by Jean Genet is a dark psychological play where sisters Solange (Anna Popplewell) and Claire (Charlie Oscar) are Maids to their over-indulged and not very intelligent Mistress (Carla Harrison-Hodge) who can’t even pronounce “camomile” correctly which the Maids mimic in passing.

Set in the Mistress’s dressing room the sisters are preparing for her to return. The clinical stage setting with a large full-length window looking across the City. Although the tiled walls reminded me of a sanatorium, fitting in with the madness of the unfolding events of the evening.

With deception and murder on their minds and knowing they have some time spare time Claire pretends to be the Mistress trying on her dresses, make-up, and attitude to allow Solange a practice run for their perceived “fate” of their Mistress.

Director Annie Kershaw captured elements of the macabre and sexual tension which drives the play forward. Tension starts building up between the characters and at times does not fully develop.  It felt that it was holding back at times and the sisters weren’t at their full potential.

The depth, violence and angst tied up in The Maids should leave audiences cold and uncomfortable by the maids actions. Unfortunately, the characters didn’t have enough sinister prowess at times to leave me in fear of what they might do next.

The intimate space inside the Jermyn Street Theatre auditorium is the perfect environment for a production like The Maids which should pick away at your emotions and senses leaving you nowhere to shy away from the developing plot lines and fear building up.

The Maids is a coproduction between Jermyn Street Theatre and Reading Rep and the show is set to transfer to play at Reading Rep from 28 January to 8 February once it has finished at Jermyn Street Theatre.

For more information about The Maids please visit the link below.

Three Stars.

Photo credit Steve Gregson.

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