The Remarkable Rooming House of Mme. Le Monde
Playwright: Tennessee Williams
Direction & Set Design: Fred Abrahamse
Costume Design: Marcel Meyer
Photography: Pat Bromilow-Downing & Fiona MacPherson
Cast: Dean Balie, Matthew Baldwin, Marcel Meyer, Callum Tilbury [Cape Town], Ian House [Greensboro]
Venue/s: The Vineyard Hotel, Cape Town [July – September 2017], Upstage Cabaret TRAID Stage, Greensboro [October 2018]
About: The South African premier of one Williams’ most bizarre late plays. Set in a rooftop garret above Mme LeMonde’s London Rooming House, baby-faced Mint unable to use his legs, swings from hooks attached to the ceiling. Mint is taunted by LeMonde, who withholds his meals and he’s abused on a regular basis by one of Madame’s many male spawn. Hall, an old school chum from Scrotum-on-Swansea, drops in for tea and shows no interest in Mint’s suffering.
What the Press Said:
“Disconcerting and stimulating in equal measure…staged in masterly fashion by the Abrahamse/Meyer partnership…the cast of four shine under impeccable direction from Abrahamse…few will forget an evening as thought-provoking as this.” CAPE ARGUS
“an enthralling and riveting evening of theatre and food…Williams provides a penetrating view of the hooks that bind and tether us to each other…the stylised staging, lighting and performances were knock-out outstanding. We must rave. Two by Tenn is an immersive site responsive theatre/dining experience and not to be missed.” CAPE TIMES
“Abrahamse & Meyer’s imaginations soar to new heights with these two plays” DIE BURGER
“Williams is arguably one of America’s finest playwrights. His classics are staged often but it is in these lesser performed one act plays that one is given another insight in to his genius. The dark humour, his profound insight in to mental instability and his personal experience with addiction create characters that crawl under your skin and remain there. The slightly sordid sexual liaisons, the barely concealed fetishes and the subtle political commentary make for a deliciously dark and memorable evening…a rare experience.” WEEKEND SPECIAL
“world-class theatre…deliriously entertaining, darkly comic mini-masterpieces. The Remarkable Rooming-House of Mme. Le Monde especially leaves an indelible mark on one with its black comedic majesty.” THE NEXT 48 HOURS
