Danú presents: The Dictator

The Dictator is an interpretation in English of the play by the late, great Lebanese playwright Issam Mahfouz. This timely absurdist tale, set in a claustrophobic  fictional world, 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. 

The play is directed by Padraig Downey for the multi award-winning Danú Theatre, who did it with a male cast for four nights back in January. In fact it’s usually cast with two men, so women in the roles should add a neat alternative perspective …

It’s free, but pre-registration is recommended since the first-come-first-served basis means a seat cannot be guaranteed …