The Blind One and the Mad One
By Cláudia Barral
Translated by Almiro Andrade
Themes: Ableism & Neurotypicality, Loneliness & Old Age, Siblinghood & Masculinities
Genre: Fantastic / Magic Realism
Key Scenes: pp. 15-20 (2M); pp. 20-21 & 21-22 (2M) ; pp. 27-28 (2M)
Number of characters: 2 (2M)
Age recommendation: 13+ (strong language and drug use)
Country: Brazil
Original language: Brazilian Portuguese
Description:
“Rottenness is manifest in every human being. Without exception. You should be thankful for your smelly feet. There are people with rotten souls and it takes more than a shower to clean a soul.” p.21
The Blind One and The Mad One brings us the story of two brothers, weakling civil servant Lázaro and his haranguing older brother Nestor, who is a former artist, now blind. Whilst waiting for a female neighbour to visit, they reminisce about their lives and settle old scores. Can their neighbour be heard over their intense argument? Will she ever come? Their fight comes to a head with a sad revelation for both men where, engulfed in their memories, they must come to terms with their concept of reality and what can actually be seen.
This play was originally written in Brazilian Portuguese.
+ DETAILS
Author: By Cláudia Barral
Original language: Brazilian Portuguese
English translation by: Almiro Andrade
Publisher: Inti Press
World Premiere (in the Engl. lang.): 2018
Education Pack Resource Writer: Almiro Andrade
+ CHARACTERS
NESTOR An Old Blind Man (Presumed 60+)
LÁZARO A Younger Man in his Fifties (50+)
+ PLAY TEXT BLURB
‘Rottenness is manifest in every human being. Without exception. There are people with rotten souls and it takes more than a shower to clean a soul.’
The Blind One and the Mad One brings us the story of two brothers, weakling civil servant Lázaro and his haranguing older brother Nestor, who is a former artist, now blind. While waiting for a female neighbour to visit, they reminisce about their lives and settle old scores.
Can their neighbour be heard over their intense argument? Will she ever come? Their fight comes to a head with a sad revelation for both men where, engulfed in their memories, they must come to terms with their concept of reality and what can actually be seen.
Buy the play text here
