The Strand Presents THE MAI

The Mai has always sought an exceptional life. Robert, her cellist husband, has always felt stifled by The Mai's ideals of perfection. After seventeen years he leaves her, whereupon she sets about building a dream house in the hope that he will one day return to her. From her fairytale castle, The Mai waits by the window for her dark-haired prince to return.

Based loosely on Electra by Sophocles, The Mai takes place present day in the midlands of Ireland. The Mai revolves around the themes of family, motherhood, and the realities of love. The play is narrated by The Mai's daughter, Millie, who recounts the events that eventually lead to her mother's death.

"I don't think the world should assume that we are all natural mothers. And it does. I don't think it's such a big thing anymore, but the idea that you sacrifice everything for your children-it's a load of rubbish. It leads to very destructive living and thinking, and it has a much worse effect on children than if you ...go out and live your own life. You're meant to adore your children at all times, and you're not meant to have a bad thought about them. That's fascism, you know, and it's elevating the child at the expense of the mother. It's like your life is not valid except in fulfilling this child's needs. What about all your needs, your desires, your wants, your problems? They're going to come out anyway, so it's better they're acknowledged straight off. Having said that, I really do believe that children have to be protected. They have to be loved. Somewhere between the two, I think, something needs to be sorted out. The relationship between parent and child is so difficult and so complex. There's every emotion there. We mostly only acknowledge the good ones. If we were allowed to talk about the other ones, maybe it would alleviate them in some way" - Marina Carr

Tickets: $15 General
Student, Senior, BROKE: $10
Reserve by phone: 443-874-4917

Performance Dates and Times:
Thursday, April 15 (Preview $5) and April 29 (College Night $3), 2010 at 8pm
Friday, April 16 (OPENING- includes refreshments), April 23, and April 30, 2010 at 8pm
Saturday, April 17, April 24 (Pay What You Can), May 1, 2010 at 8pm
Sunday, April 18 and April 25, 2010 at 2pm