One fictional woman’s escape from genocide in Rwanda in 1994 led her to London, where she started writing her memoir.
This story of her quest for healing through writing is presented in the play, “I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me by a Young Lady from Rwanda,” which opens tonight through PlayMakers Repertory Company.
Playwright Sonja Linden based the main character, Juliette, on an actual Rwandan refugee that she met at a medical center designed to help refugees.
ATTEND THE PERFORMANCE
Time: 8 p.m. today through Sunday; 2 p.m. Sunday
Location: Kenan Theatre
Info: playmakersrep.org
“It takes a topic that is very distant and makes it something that we can all relate to and understand,” said Hannah Grannemann, PlayMakers managing director.
The play tells of the friendship between Juliette and a British poet named Simon.
As the only two characters in the play, Juliette and Simon write, learn and develop as individuals, said Joy Jones, who plays the part of Juliette.
Jones said that the story is really about the journey of Juliette and Simon together.
“It’s as much about their friendship, about their artistic fellowship, as it is about her stories,” Jones said.
Jones said that playing a character based on a real person presented some challenges.
“It’s humbling to try to own the experience of actual people,” she said.
The role of Simon is played by Garth Petal, an actor originally from the San Francisco area.
The play is part of the PRC2, PlayMakers Repertory Company’s second stage series. The PRC2 series put on three plays this year that discuss matters of social and political relevance.
“We do these plays with content that really makes you think,” Grannemann said.
Performed in the smaller Kenan Theatre that is an extension of the Paul Green Theatre, the play is presented to an audience of about 280 and gives the play a more personal feel.
“You’re close to the action. It is a more intimate experience,” Grannemann said.
The plays in the series are followed by discussions with the director and cast members, during which the audience can learn further about the issue addressed in the performance.
“It’s a way for our audience to have a really deep experience with the play,” Grannemann said.
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
