Domestic abuse remains a horrific reality that haunts contemporary society. Yet all too often this disturbing issue remains shrouded in denial. Too readily do we assume that knowledge and awareness about such issues have grown, that this subject has been exhausted and that social workers, lawyers and psychologists are doing the necessary job to fix the mess.
Perhaps there is the fear of admitting openly that domestic violence and abuse exists amongst us, that the next victims could be in our neighbourhoods, among our friends or even in our families. While we come to terms with the uncomfortable realization that abuse is not just someone else's problem, behind closed doors, the silent screams of victims remain unheard. In this deafening and numbing silence there emerges a need for a persistent voice for those who have none. Silence is agreement and complicity and needs to be broken.
In an attempt to break this silence, even locally, Masquerade Theatre Company will be performing the remarkable play Five Kinds of Silence by the playwright Shelagh Stephenson. Five Kinds of Silence was originally a radio play and won the Writer's Guild Award for Best Radio Play of 1996 and also the Sony Award for Best Original Drama.
In this impressive play, through her descriptive, original and lyrical prose, Stephenson delves into the life of a family surrounded by a conspiracy of silence where the man terrorizes his wife and both his daughters. For this family, the house is more like a prison while abuse and dark secrets are the forces binding the family together.
The play is structured in the form of monologues in which the characters relate their harrowing story. We see a man who is physically abused by his own mother and then becomes a tyrant to his wife and daughters. As his obsession about tidiness persists, he lashes out brutally. He sexually abuses his own daughters from the age of thirteen and controls in every possible way. The daughters are in their early thirties when, unable to tolerate their father any longer, they decide to kill him.
The question echoed throughout the play is 'How did the terrifying story remain a secret for such a long time?' Director anthony bezzina describes this play 'as one full of wrenching sadness, warped reasoning and shame'. In describing the theatre company's challenge to tackle such a delicate issue anthony bezzina said 'the text itself deals with the theme of not wanting to talk about a reality destroying people's lives. It is not only about the silence of the victims but what is even more frightening is the community's silence, the unwillingness of society to admit that something is dreadfully wrong'.
When talking about the script anthony bezzina continued: "Talking about abuse and violence in the theatre is by no means an easy, straightforward choice. The script challenges us to ask more and more questions. It is much more complex than simply saying that the abuser was a monster and to stop at that. By presenting performances dealing with such disturbing realities, we are just breaking a fraction of the silence which exists".
The demanding script also requires a mature cast ready to take up the brave roles in which a deep understanding of each character is indispensable. Under bezzina's direction, a formidable cast made up of Manuel Cauchi, Ninette Micallef, Coryse Borg, Greta Agius, Colin Willis, Nanette Brimmer, Daphne Said and Michael Cooper will be performing Five Kinds of Silence by Shelagh Stephenseon.
At St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, Valletta.
14-15-16, 21-22-23, 28-29-30 MAY 2004
Performances start at 8.00pm. Booking is open from St. James Cavalier on tel. 21 223200, email: [email protected]
Masquerade Theatre Company is supported by Bank of Valletta, Air Malta, Travelex Financial Services, Traplas, Portomaso, Malta Tourism Authority and Marsovin.. Five Kinds of Silence is for an adult audience.