The Visit

by Friederick Duerrenmatt

The Visit had 4 performances almost 27 years ago (between the 26th of November 1997 and the 29th of November 1997)

This fascinating folk play is in turn intriguing, poetic, funny, atmospheric and highly theatrical. It also makes for a thought provoking evening.

Duerrenmatt's macabre parable is his most grotesque and most extraordinary play - and his most famous, bringing him worldwide recognition. Duerrenmatt (a Swiss dramatist, director and novelist who died in 1996) was always fascinated by chance and this is is the central theme of most of his work - essentially a single attempt to explain why chance instead of justice had played such a great role in not only his life, but the development of the world at large.

The VISIT concerns Claire Zachanassian (the richest woman in the world) who returns to her little home town of Guellen to demand justice for a wrong done to her as a teenager by her lover, Alfred Schill. She offers one billion dollars to the poverty-stricken town if they will murder Alfred. Will she be able to exact justice through her vast wealth ? Behind this simple tale are cast the shadows of revenge, greed, power, guilt and genuine human frailty.

The charismatic central role of Claire Zachanassian was recently played by Lauren Bacall. Cast in this RDG production is Frankie Godliman, the group's most experienced female actor with nearly 90 performances to her credit. She will be supported by a large cast of players representing the village characters and the millionairess's extraordinary entourage who accompany her on this bizarre VISIT.

Original

Claire Zachanassian - Frankie Godliman

Person small1

Pedro - Jonathan Day

Small1

Bobby [butler] - Colin Dolley

Small1

Max & Mike [bodyguards] - Adam Roberts

Person small1

Max & Mike [bodyguards] - Peter Harris

Person small1

Max & Mike [bodyguards] - Dan the American!

Person small1

Koby & Loby [the blind men] - Ian Thomas

Person small1

Koby & Loby [the blind men] - Stephen Rowland

Person small1

Anton Schill - Wally Walters

Small1

Mrs Schill - Pauline Walters

Person small1

Son of the Schills - Robert Taylor

Person small1

Daughter of the Schills - Lisette Henry

Small1

Schill Grandchildren - Sophie Paterson

Person small1

Schill Grandchildren - Louise Cutcliffe

Person small1

The Athlete - Gary Morgan

Person small1

The painter - Lynn Jones

Original

The Pastor - Iain Donaldson

Small1

Herr Vogel - Brian Walters

Small1

The Conductor and The Doctor - Roy Selfe

Person small1

The Schoolchildren - Tucker Jones

Person small1

The Schoolchildren - Melissa Jones

Person small1

The Schoolchildren - Niki Jones

Person small1

The Schoolchildren - Kimberly Powell

Person small1

The Schoolchildren - Jenny Powell

Person small1

The Schoolchildren - Jeffrey Hamilton

Person small1

The Schoolchildren - Kendall Hamilton

Person small1

The Burgomaster - Paul Surrey

Person small1

The Burgomaster's wife - Trudi Lowe

Small1

The Schoolmaster - Mark Humble

Small1

The Policeman - Keith Bollands

Person small1

Frau Hofbauer - Mary Honey

Person small1

Station Master - Chris Winslet

Person small1

The Reporter - Ian Thomas

Person small1

The Cameramen - Stephen Rowland

Person small1

The Cameramen - Jonathan Day

Small1

Director - Judith Dolley

Small1

Set design and construction - John Godliman

Small1

Set design and construction - Brian Walters

Small1

Stage Manager - John Godliman

Person small1

Lighting - Malcolm Meades

Person small1

Lighting - Nigel Longley

Small1

Stage Manager (assistant) - Clare Pinnock

Small1

Sound - Ian Santry

Person small1

Wardrobe - Margaret Williams

Person small1

Properties - Anne Nunn

Person small1

Set Construction (Assisted) - Anne Nunn

Small1

Set Construction (Assisted) - Mark Humble

Person small1

Set Construction (Assisted) - Paul Surrey

Small1

Set Construction (Assisted) - Keith Bollands

Small1

Properties - Clare Pinnock

Person small1

Original Music - Chris Winslet