Las Paredes (The Walls)

Las Paredes, by Griselda Gambaro, explores the sensitive issue of psychological torture and mental abuse. Although originally meant to address the political situation of Argentina during the time of its writing (1964), the play has critical appeal during our time as well. In this provocative work, a man is kidnapped by two eccentric civil employees who inexplicably charge him with a crime. They lock him in an otherwise innocuous room and begin to do their dirty work. Meanwhile, the man’s physical surroundings slowly begin to change, presenting a metaphor for the randomness and helplessness of his condition. Indeed, Gambaro’s brilliant use of drama and dark humor portray the individual’s inability to rise up against his aggressors in a totalitarian state. Gabriel García directs.