Three unassuming individuals, two in denial and one cynic are trapped in a room with no exit. This isn’t a set up for an episode of “The Twilight Zone,” it’s a view on the afterlife and how people tend to project their lives and image of themselves on others.
The Winthrop theatre department is presenting a production of “No Exit,” based on the 1944 one act play by French philosopher and playwright Jean-Paul Sartre in Johnson Studio Theatre. This play is the first production of the Winthrop theatre department this semester, exploring the idea of the afterlife and judgement for three individuals. The director of the play, Winthrop student Jenny Watson, commented on how directing a full production is different from the Spring One Act plays last semester.
“Some of the challenges I have faced with directing this show have been compromising on-set and costume designs with the student works budget, and having to change certain aspects of the show that I initially thought would work that ended up not working out,” said Watson.
Having been introduced to the play in high school, Watson wanted to bring this play to Winthrop to give students an idea of absurdism and existentialism.
“One of my favorite things about absurdism is the open-endedness of it, which allows people to interpret the show in their own way. There isn’t just one set takeaway. I’m really looking forward to the conversations that the show will start,” said Watson.
Sophomore theatre performance major Cameron Muccio plays the role of the Valet, who guides the three souls into Hell and shows his contempt for their lives.
“It’s definitely hard to find the line between what is believable and what isn’t when you’re playing a Valet in Hell. It’s a sort of ridiculous premise, but at the same time it’s dark and evocative. That sort of dichotomy is all over this play. A lot of it seems a bit too weird at first, but the more you look into it the more you realize it holds a very deep meaning,” said Muccio.
“No Exit” follows three individuals who try to explain how they were good people when they died, but as the play progresses, they criticize each other and open up about their dubious lives.
“They are forced to be each other’s torturers, and there is an underlying theme against fascism that I think is very relevant to our political situation today,” said Watson.
“I think the play will give audiences a lot to think about. There are tons of great questions to debate the answers to. Do the characters deserve the kind of treatment they get? Which one of them most deserves to be in hell? Why did Jean-Paul Sartre choose to write these characters in these specific ways? I think the best theatre is thought-provoking theatre, so I hope this play will start a discussion,” said Muccio.
One goal of this production is to bring the themes of the play into modern day society and spark conversations on how the themes can be applied to our modern lives, along with ideas of how people try to create an image of themselves in the face of others and how the worst of hell isn’t all fire and brimstone, it’s the judgement of other people and the protection of our reputations.
“Our political situation in America today is creeping closer and closer to the fascist side of policy. ‘No Exit’ acts as a wakeup call to exploit how fascism corrupts what it does not agree with,” said Watson.
“I love the play. I think it’s a very interesting look into one author’s vision of what the afterlife might look like. It’s great to have the opportunity to explore such deep, philosophical themes. It’s also fascinating to work on as an actor because it’s a situation no one really has any frame of reference for. Most of the time you are portraying something that could actually happen in everyday life, but no one knows what hell is really like,” said Muccio.
Muccio has also worked with Watson in previous productions. “She fosters a really fun rehearsal environment, which helps me stay in a good mood. I think that each time we work together, each of us gets a better sense of the other’s artistic sensibilities and who they are as a person,” said Muccio.
“I think students will find themselves considering questions they never have before. I also think there’s a good chance that they will feel pretty confused by some of the things that happen in the play. I hope they really take the time to think in-depth about the play and engage in conversations about it. Theatre is at its best when it sparks a discussion,” said Muccio.
“No Exit” runs from Sept. 25 to Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday, and is an approved cultural event. Tickets for Wednesday and Thursday shows are $5 dollars with a Winthrop ID and $10 dollars for general public. Friday through Sunday tickets are $8 dollars with a Winthrop ID and $15 dollars for general public.
Photos: Olivia Esselman/ The Johnsonian
