Jaimi Paige and Donnla Hughes Set to Take the Stage as "The Maids''

Jean Genet's The Maids begins performances tonight at A Noise Within Theatre.

The story follows Solange and Claire, two housemaids who construct elaborate role-play rituals when their mistress (Madame) is away. The focus of their role-play is the murder of Madame as they take turns portraying both sides of the power divide. Genet based his play loosely on the infamous sisters Christine and Léa Papin, who made headlines by brutally murdering their employer and her daughter in Le Mans, France, in 1933.

The cast includes Jaimi Paige as Claire, Donnla Hughes as Solange, and Emily Kosloski as Madame. Stephanie Shroyer directs.

"This play questions the idea of ownership and examines the very fickle nature of how power is decided," said Shroyer. "Genet has written a dark and twisted power triangle and placed us, the audience, in the voyeuristic role of observer. We should know better than to watch what’s behind closed doors – but isn’t it a darkly funny human trait that we simply can’t resist putting our eye to the keyhole?"

Performances will run through November 12.

For more information and tickets, click here.