The Maids (The Seeing Place Theater) NYC Reviews and Tickets

69%

(32 Ratings)

Positive

60%

Mixed

31%

Negative

Members say

Great acting, Slow, Confusing, Quirky, Ambitious

About the Show

Seeing Place Theater presents Jean Genet's classic in which two sisters, maids to a wealthy society woman, act out fantasies of class, love and revenge.

Solange and Claire are two housemaids who construct elaborate sadomasochistic rituals when their mistress (Madame) is away. The focus of their role-playing is the murder of Madame and they take turns portraying both sides of the power divide. Their deliberate pace and devotion to detail guarantees that they always fail to actualize their fantasies by ceremoniously "killing" Madame at the ritual's dénouement.

Show-Score Member Reviews (32)

100

Relevant, Great acting, Intelligent, Absorbing

See it if I went to see this play last night and it was an unexpected surprise. The cast deliver a professional representation of the material.

Don't see it if This is a small scale play in a small theater. While I prefer smaller since I think it is more immediate it might not be for everyone.

Intelligent, Thought-provoking, A bit creepy, in a good way, Engrossing

See it if You want to see something completely different from anything else available. It's worth the trip to the East Village for this odd piece.

Don't see it if You don't like to be fully engaged in what you're seeing, or if you are not a fan of small black box theatres. Read more

Absorbing, Slow, Clever, Relevant, Intense

See it if You haven't seen this gripping show before, or even if you have. The Seeing Place Theatre always adds to my understanding with their work.

Don't see it if You don't like small intimate theatre, or want something funny. This thoughtful, involving piece speaks to today's growing income inequality

Gripping, Uneven, Personal as political, Unsettling, Smart

See it if you'd like a chance to reevaluate a classic modern play in our era of enormous power differential between haves & have-nots.

Don't see it if you get claustrophobic in tiny theater spaces: here you will feel the breeze whenever the actors whoosh by. Read more

Ambitious, Thought-provoking, Intelligent, Great writing

See it if you're prepared to think while watching a true classic.

Don't see it if you want to sit back and laugh. Read more

Good acting, Entertaining, Clever, Ambitious

See it if You would like a well-acted production of a play about play-acting maids and their fantasies run amock

Don't see it if You want everything to be a neat package without derangement

Slow, Raunchy, Edgy, Great acting, Exquisite

See it if like to see the play where craziness took over 2 maids and joyfull game became a diagnosis. Two talented actresses,one actress trying hard

Don't see it if Dislike small theatre, dark comedies with the fantasmagoric dialogs and at times slow and uneven performance; want a solid ending Read more

Quirky, Intelligent, Confusing, Entertaining

See it if you like plays that interlock fantasy and reality and blur the lines between where fantasy ends and reality begins.

Don't see it if you like clear linear plots and to know exactly what is REALLY happening. Are not a fan of dark comedies and intentional overacting. Read more

Critic Reviews (1)

"There a few things that make it difficult to catch onto the absurd tone of the piece. The first is that the pacing is a bit slow in challenging places...As a director, Ms. Cronican makes excellent use of the layout of Mike Mroch’s scenic design...No material is wasted in this repertory production...I encourage support for The Seeing Place Theater because their mission is simple and clear, and evidence demonstrates their achievement of it."
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Trailer

Creative team