Bent by Martin Sherman Directed by Amanda Lockitch October 31 to November 17 2007 at Performance Works, Vancouver, BC
Essentially a love story, Bent follows Max on his journey from the hedonistic Berlin of the early 1930’s to his death in Dachau concentration camp. It depicts the two great loves of his life: Rudy, a somewhat hapless dancer who is murdered on a Nazi transport train for being “intelligentsia” (he wore glasses) and Horst, a fellow prisoner at the camp. Max contrives to become a “yellow star” in Dachau rather than wearing the pink triangle that demarcates him as being homosexual. The covert romance that develops between Max and Horst defies the dehumanizing reality of the concentration camp and proves that survival is more than simply keeping oneself alive.
Featuring Seán Cummings as Max, Thrasso Petras as Horst/Greta, Joshua Lewis as Rudy, Sean Allan as Uncle Freddie, Sebastian Kroon as Wolf, and featuring Ryan Hesp and Billy Marchenski
Set Design by Niki Boyd, Lighting Design by Mélissa C Powell, Costume Design by Krista Sung, Musical Direction Carolyn Orazietti, Fight Choreographer Jeff Fisher, Production: Jennifer Smith and Mélissa C Powell
"Extremely educational, very sad to say that neither myself or my husband had any knowledge of the existence of the pink triangle segregation in the Nazi prision camps during the Hitler regime. It was beautifully performed, the impact was so great that you had to think about clapping. In the end you do because of the job that was done, the hesitation is in respect for the story. It has been a few days since seeing the performance and after talking to friends and family none were aware of the pink triangle. But they do now..." - Carrie Dawson, audience member
"This production deftly captures both the play's brutality and its message of human transcendence...Seán Cummings subtly traces Max's journey from spoiled, apathetic cad to passionate survivor... Thrasso Petras is an assured Horst, who nimbly mines the script's black humour...Sean Allan brings a winning mix of prudishness and prurience" - Kathleen Oliver, The Georgia Straight
"Cummings is particularly strong as Max ... Both Cummings and Petras keep a tight rein on their performances--never melodramatic or over-stated." - Jo Ledingham, Vancouver Courier
"I came to Bent last night. Congratulations - you guys have done a good job. Brutal but good. All the best." - Richard B. (audience member)
"Petras and Cummings are pitch-perfect in their roles, bringing a level of humanity to the production ... Bent is more than just a story of gay men in a terrible time, but a universal tale about the ability of basic human goodness to transcend evil." - Steven Schelling, Westender
"(Petras) and Cummings combine to find a lovely music of their improbable relationship ... a brave and evocative production ... it would be a shame to miss the chance to experience this work. Meta.for Theatre has made a good argument here for the importance of our independent theatre." - Beyond Robson
"The scene in which they stand side by side, staring straight ahead under the eyes of the Nazi guards, and bring themselves to orgasm simply by speaking to each other is marvelously performed and elegantly directed." - Jerry Wasserman, vancouverplays.com
"Terrific work, the central performances were particularly excellent. thoughtfully directed. congrats on a job well done." - Anonymous (Audience Member)