The Madwoman Of Chaillot (2026)
by Jean Giraudoux, translation by Maurice Valency
Performances: Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 March 2026, Old Fire Station
Contents
Introduction
Beneath the charming streets of Paris, greed is bubbling to the surface. A group of ruthless businessmen has discovered oil under the city and plans to destroy it in the name of profit. But they haven’t reckoned with the Countess Aurelia, the eccentric Madwoman of Chaillot, and her loyal friends, whose wit, imagination, and faith in humanity just might save the world.
Preview from SLT website
What drew you to directing The Madwoman of Chaillot?
The play is an utter delight. It’s a play about outsiders, dreamers, and eccentrics coming together to protect what they love, and it manages to be simultaneously furious about the state of the world and completely joyful about being alive in it. I love the poeticism of the dialogue, the vividness of the characters, and the warmth and joy that underpins it all. Plus, who doesn’t love a bit of absurdity?
What themes does the play explore?
Community, collective action, and the quiet power of people who’ve been written off. It’s about the dangers of greed and corruption, and ultimately a celebration of hope.
How do you think the satirical content applies to the world today?
Giraudoux wrote Madwoman in 1943 and the targets are depressingly familiar: developers who would sacrifice green space for profit, politicians serving the powerful while ignoring everyone else, a relentless drive to extract and accumulate at the expense of the living world.
It’s evergreen, sadly. And what can we do about that – fall into despair, or band together with those we love most to find laughter, hope, and community?
Tell us about the characters we'll meet
At the centre is the Countess Aurelia (Ingrid Miller), the Madwoman of Chaillot, a woman of fierce imagination who has simply refused to let the modern world diminish her. Set against her are the President (Ian Cuthbert), the Baron (Michaela Moher), the Broker (Gavin Donellan) and the Prospector (Alex Redmond), who are only concerned with acquisition and wealth.
And woven through everything are the ordinary people of the streets, a collection of outsiders and vagabonds, full of warmth and life. (Played variously by Servaise Ratnayake, Sion Watkins, Ane Omagu, Zoe Slack, Marysia Skwarka, Henry Heffer, Hannington Morgan and Celia Beketa.)
It's your debut outing at SLT - how have you found the process?
Genuinely lovely. SLT has been welcoming and collaborative from the very first conversation, and that spirit has carried straight through into the rehearsal room. The cast have been brilliant: curious, committed, and wonderfully game for the play’s stranger moments. I feel very lucky to have worked with such a great group, from the cast to the crew.
Describe the play in three words?
Joyful. Absurd. Poetic.
Cast
- Countess Aurelia, The Madwoman of Chaillot - Ingrid Miller
- Irma - Servaise Ratnayake
- Pierre - Siôn Watkins
- The Waiter / Constance, The Madwoman of Passy - Ane Omagu
- The Prospector - AJ Redmond
- The President / Sewer Man - Ian Cuthbert
- The Baron - Michaela Moher
- Dr Jadin / Josephine, The Madwoman of La Concorde - Zoë Slack
- Street Singer - Marysia Skwarka
- The Ragpicker - Henry Heffer
- Juggler / Policeman - Hann Morgan
- The Broker / Sergeant - Gavin Donnellan
- The Doorman / Gabrielle, The Madwoman of St. Sulpice - Celia Beketa
Crew
- Assistant Director - Emma Qian
- Stage Manager - Lydie Koritsas
- Lighting Designer - Alana Street
- Sound Designer - Cristina Jerney
- Lighting & Sound Operator - Graeme Kaye
- Set Designer - Anna Lavery
- Costumes - Leah Holmes
- Show Photography - Phil Gammon and Sophie Davies
- Fight / Intimacy co-ordinator - Stephen Hayward
- Rigging - John Winters
- Composer - Paul Woodruff
- Set build - Alistair Simpson, John Winters, Sophia Declaux
Reviews
Some review quotes go here
Gallery
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
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See Also
Have there been other SLT productions of this play? Link to them here.
Or add anything that is related within this site. The author's page for instance or other plays with a similar theme.
