The test of a great performance for me lies in how long I continue to think about the show when I leave the theatre. I am HAUNTED by Downstage’s presentation of Judith Thompson’s “Palace of the End”. The show previewed last night at Motel (across from the Big Secret Theatre) and………wow. Unforgettable.
“Palace of the End” is a about the horrors of the Iraq War and it’s effects on three characters created from real people. The play is a trio of monologues revealing three disctict perspectives on the Iraq war. We hear from a female US soldier who faces court martial for abusing prisoners in Abu Ghraib, a former UN weapons inspector, and an Iraqi mother representing those who watched their children tortured in front of them. The play is presented by Downstage and is showing at Motel (across from the Big Secret Theatre) until March 7th.
Palace of the End is one of the most gut wrenching and challenging pieces I have seen in a LONG time. Ntra Curry’s embodiment of Nehrjas (the third monologue of a mother and activist tortured under Saddam Hussein) will be permanently seared into my mind.
A show not to be missed – but keep in mind the content is graffic and intended for a mature audiences.
More info at www.downstage.ca