Marat/Sade
by Peter Weiss
Directed by Gary Hopper
Costumes Designed by Elizabeth Weiss Hopper

Department of Theatre
Virginia Commonwealth University
March 1977

Marat/Sade was produced on the Virginia Commonwealth University's Shafer Street Playhouse, an old high-school gymnasium. For this production a performance environment was produced giving the audience a choice of sitting with the inmates or with the royal visitors.


Top view of the model. A number of different layers are visible. At the very top is the pipe grid of the theatre. Just under it is the circular catwalk and extensions built for the show. This catwalk contained numerous shower nozzles to hose down the inmates and sometimes the audience by accident. The singers often watched the show from on top of the catwalk. Beneath this catwalk the central playing space is visible with the four playing area spokes radiating out. Between these spokes were audience areas equipped with rotating stools. Outside of this area is another acting area encircling the audience who made the choice to sit with the inmates. In the upper right corner is a triangular space for the musicians. To the far left is the seating area for the royal visitors and some audience members.


Another view of the model


Marat in his tub


Charlotte Corday buys the knife. This platform unit also functioned as a guillotine for large puppet heads. Notice the holes for the heads around the outside.


Sixteen glorious years - The Banners for each year were hung in a spiral shape from the bottom of the catwalk ring above Marat. At the end of the song a single line was pulled dropping them in a spiral pattern to the floor.


De Sade introduces Corday to Marat


Marat addresses the inmates. Marat has just been placed under the central shower, notice the boards are wet. Also note audience members surrounding the central playing area.