...How about discrimination and prejudice at the Lace Market Theatre?

Two plays set 60 years apart but with the same theme.

The Lace Market Theatre presents a double bill this week: Bertolt Brecht's The Jewish Wife and John Retallack's Hanna and Hanna, set 60 years apart but both dealing with the same themes of prejudice and discrimination. Directors Lorna McCullough (The Jewish Wife) and Wayne Parkin (Hannah and Hanna) explain why they work together

What are your respective plays about?

LM -The Jewish Wife is about happenings in German in 1935, where the wife is being forced to leave her German husband, while Hannah & Hanna is about a refugee from Kosovo.

WP – Both plays focus on the impact of persecution and how different people react to the crises that develop from such events. Do they rise or fall in such circumstances? Both pieces are complimentary in focusing on different historical periods (1935 Germany and 1999 Margate) yet illustrating the similar life choices that people, when finding themselves in the middle of such situations, need to make.

Why did you want to direct them?

LM - Being a member for over 40 years, I know that doing a full length play takes a lot of energy, so to find a short excellent play like this was almost too good to be true. It is a two hander and I have a wonderful cast with Amanda Hodgson being the wife, and Daniel Bryant the husband. It has been a very enjoyable experience.

WP – While I had acted with the Lace Market Theatre previously, I was interested in dipping my toe into directing. I was chuffed to bits to be offered Hannah and Hanna. While the themes of prejudice struck an immediate chord, I spotted the challenges of performing such a vibrant play in a small intimate setting with a small, young cast of just two. I got an immediate kick out of the prospect.

Have you encountered any problems in producing two plays in the same space on the same evening?

LM - People often asked how easy it is to have a double bill. Well it is awkward to find rehearsal space as there are other plays in rehearsal as well, but we managed, by doing some rehearsal for The Jewish Wife in the day time. The same technical team do both plays and with a bit of organising everything eventually falls into place.

WP- With the technical team covering both it has been quite a smooth process.

What can you say to encourage people to come and see the plays?

LM - The plays we do in our Studio are usually very successful and these two plays should be no exception. They also sell out very quickly. Both plays will certainly give you something to think about. How can you resist two for the price of one?

WP – We have a pair of challenging and thrilling plays in a very intimate setting, where the audience can expect to be fully engaged. While you can expect to walk away pondering some of the bigger issues, the acting talent on display in both pieces will ensure that you will be fully immersed in the drama. We aim to kick off the new season at the theatre with a bang.

Read the original article here.