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1986 The Conduct of Life
First Published: Plays, (New York: PAJ Publications, 1986).
Synopsis
The stage has five areas - the living room, dining room, hall, cellar and warehouse in a private home in an unidentified Latin American country. Orlando, a sadistic army lieutenant, makes it clear in the opening soliloquy that despite his sexual drive, he is determined to achieve advancement using his physical strength allied to ruthless ambition. Having rapidly achieved his promotion it becomes clear that he is a self-acknowledged professional torturer now using violence to subdue and destroy others. His childhood friend and colleague, Alejo, wretchedly watches Orlando's behaviour, unable to help himself or anyone else to conduct their private or professional lives better.
The women of the play are under Orlando's control. Leticia, his wife, suffers his open contempt and verbal abuse as she struggles to voice her ideas. She speaks of wanting to become better educated, to be respected, and listened to. Their servant, Olimpia, works with expertise without recognition and it is this servant who befriends Nena, a twelve year old street girl, whom Orlando kidnaps and hides in the cellar. His repeated rape of Nena and her presence in the home becomes known to Leticia. Shortly after she realises Nena is in their home Orlando accuses his wife of infidelity, and during his violent interrogation of her she shoots and kills him. Leticia then passes the revolver to Nena.
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Fornes had begun writing the play at one of her INTAR workshops and it was developed further under the name No Time at the Padua Hills Festival, Claremont, California in the summer of 1984. There is an account of the Padua Hills performance by Martin Epstein in Conducting a Life, p.34. See Publications. This Padua Hills production was very different from the published version of that performed on 21st February 1985 under Fornes' direction at the Theatre for the New City, 162 Second Avenue, NYC. Costume Design was by Sally J. Lesser, Lighting Design by Anne E. Miletello, and Set Design was by T. Owen Baumgartner. Cast: Nena - Sheila Dabney, Olimpia - Alba Oms, Leticia - Crystal Field, Orlando - Pedro Garrido, Alejo - Hermann Lademann.
A 83 minute video of the Theatre for the New City production can be seen at the Billy Rose Collection, New York Public Library. See Billy Rose Theatre Collection.
Fornes dedicated this play 'To Julian Beck in memory of his courageous life (1925-1985).' See Publications Maria Irene Fornes, Plays, pp.65-89, p.65.
Fornes was awarded an Obie for The Conduct of Life as 'Best New American Play'.
From 12th October - 5th November 1988 there was a production directed by Francesca Joseph which was presented by Union 212 and Dina and Alexander E. Racolin at the Gate Theatre, London, England. The Décor was by Cathy Ryan. Cast: Orlando - Richard Lintern, Nena - Annabelle Lanyon, Olimpia - Joan Heal, Alejo - Sean Fogarty, Leticia - Norma West. |
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