Danú presents: The Dictator

A second performance for this interpretation in English of a timely absurdist tale by the late Lebanese playwright Issam Mahfouz. Set in a claustrophobic  fictional world, it tells the story of a tyrant (the General, played by Aida Laubach) whose grandiose delusions include believing herself to be the saviour of all humanity.

The first half is close to slapstick comedy, but after the interval it shifts gears to plummet into darkness and existential angst leading to a climactic ending. The play focuses on the General’s existence and power in tandem with her idiot-savant servant Saadoun (Carine Bouery). Saadoun, however,  proves to be quite the enigma with a fascinating rising and falling power dynamic between both as the play progresses.

The play has been described as an absurd masterpiece, a minimalist mixture of Ionesco and Beckett, a tale of delusion and depravity with fierce and hilarious jabs at despotism and existence. It’s usually cast with two men, so women in the roles should add a neat twist …

The play is directed by Padraig Downey for Danú Theatre. It’s free, but pre-registration is recommended since the first-come-first-served basis means a seat cannot be guaranteed …