The Balcony at the Medicine Show Theatre

Medicine Show Theatre Ensemble presents The Balcony, by Jean Genet, translated by Barbara Vann, opening at the Medicine Show Theatre on 7 Apr 2007, following previews from 29 Mar and running through to 21 Apr 2007.

The Balcony is set in an unnamed monarchy on the brink of a bloody revolution. But life is sweet at the Grand Balcony, a brothel and 'palace of illusions' where men come to indulge their secret fantasies. Inside, the Madame and her girls assist customers in play-acting a variety of roles: a judge inflicting punishment on a beautiful thief, a bishop dealing with a sinner, a general meditating on his relationship with his horse (played by a bridled actress). Fantasy and reality become intertwined when the exploding revolution claims the lives of the country�s leaders and the Police Chief replaces them with their counterparts from the brothel.

Directed by Barbara Vann with choreography by Peter Schmitz, The Balcony features Karen Amatrading, Sara Copeland, Mark Dempsey, Sean Dill, Ron Dreyer, Ilona Farkas, Mark Gering, Felix Gadron, Lauren LoGiudice, Louise Martin, Tassos Pappas, Charles J. Roby, Jose Ramon, Jonathan Roufaeal, Peter Schmitz and Barbara Vann.

Set design by Paul Gugliotta, with costumes by Uta Bekia and lighting by Susan Nicholson.