The Ohio State University Department of Theatre Presents: MARAT/SADE |

The Ohio State University Department of Theatre Presents:

MARAT/SADE

The Death of Marat Jacques-Louis David, 1793

(The persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade)

You may recognize Jean-Paul Marat as the famous bathtub-ridden French revolutionary from David’s oil painting masterpiece as well as the Marquis de Sade as the infamous aristocrat with a knack for erotic extremism (i.e. Sadism) in Peter Weiss’ long-winded play title. These two historical figures meet as de Sade presents a play to the director of the insane asylum of Charenton (in which the real Sade spent 13 years) which he has written, directed and acts in himself, using the asylum patients as his cast. This play within a play tells the story of the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat by Charlotte Corday.

Weiss’ play emphasizes the gruesome nature of poverty and struggle among defined societal classes. Audiences must bear in mind: the play (within the play), in its entirety, is the working of the politically, sexually and violently driven manipulations of de Sade, and such manipulations aren’t always pretty. The plot, though often disjointed by outbursts as are the ‘actors’ which drive it, is carried on through high-energy songs, mimes and thought-provoking conversations. It is difficult to find a dull moment in the tight, yet heavy 90 minutes in which the inmates of Charenton take the stage.

Come see Marat/Sade and support the Arts at OSU and get some culture in those VEINS and stimulate your BRAIN!

May 3 - 5 at 7:30 PM
May 6 at 3:00 PM
May 10 - 12 at 7:30 PM
May 13 at 3:00 PM
May 17 - 19 at 7:30 PM

Student tickets are $13 and can be purchased at the Ticketmaster booth in the Drake Union. For more information, visit theatre.osu.edu.