THE CRIMINALS
Three siblings have spent their entire lives trapped in an attic by their oppressive parents. To fill their days they re-enact a murder. But is it a confession? Or a rehearsal? And do the parents deserve it?
“There is literally a plot twist in every scene,” says actor David Valenica. “People are going to be on the edge of their seat.”
Valencia plays Lalo, the eldest of the siblings who is in his early 20s and has been kept in the attic for as long as he can remember. His sisters are teenagers – all dealing with desperate love, boredom and stifled dreams.
It’s dark and heavy content, but then keep in mind, it stems from La Noche De Los Asesinos (The Night of the Assassins) a Cuban play written in 1965 and set in the 1950s – a time of political persecution, oppression and corruption. Adrian Mitchell – the late British poet/playwright – created an adaptation that praises indignation while questioning the cost of revolution through violence.
“It’s also a very fun play that steers clear of Cuban tokenisms,” the NIDA-graduate explains. “It still has that undeniable Cuban flavour to it in the writing and the rhythm and the way the kids express themselves but the play doesn’t necessarily come across as terribly political,” he continues.
“We’re hoping audiences will value their own stand on what makes them feel indignant and how far you can be pushed. These days it’s incredible to think there is still a monarchy or dictatorships. How far do you let them go …? Whatever you think of the recent riots in the CBD, these are people taking action be it called for or uncalled for. The Criminals definitely questions authority… You might not even pick up on its political context. It’s a universal story.”
Oct 4-21, Old 505 Theatre, 505/342 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills, $16-26, trybooking.com/BVWA
