The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare (1997), images:
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Roberto Rossi, Jenny Romaine, John Bell. Masks by Meredith Holch. Photo: Orlando Marra
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Jenny Romaine, John Bell. Photo: Orlando Marra
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John Bell. Photo: Orlando Marra
THE MAN WHO WAS THURSDAY: A NIGHTMARE (1997-1998) is adapted from G.K. Chesterton’s 1908 novel, in which an elite corps of undercover police pose as anarchists to infiltrate the Great Anarchist Conspiracy of Europe. A meditation on political paranoia and present-day obsessions with Law, Order, and Chaos, the play uses masks, projections, music, and choreography to explore the thin blue line – and the mimetic attraction – between criminals and cops.
Adapted, designed, and directed by Mark Sussman, the play is performed by GSW members John Bell, Stephen Kaplin, Jenny Romaine, Roberto Rossi, and guests Roderick Murray, Laura Helton, and Gretchen Till. First presented in installments at the Monthly Spaghetti Dinners in 1996 and ’97, the piece premiered at Performance Space 122 in December, 1997. With original music by Jon Nichols, masks by Meredith Holch, choreography by Clarinda Mac Low, and costume and accessory design by Alessandra Nichols, and with additional texts by Jean Genet, Jack Smth, Emma Goldman, Vera Figner, Horst Bienek, and George Orwell.