The Visit

by Friederick Duerrenmatt

The Visit had 4 performances over 26 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

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Pedro - Jonathan Day

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Bobby [butler] - Colin Dolley

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Max & Mike [bodyguards] - Adam Roberts

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Max & Mike [bodyguards] - Peter Harris

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Max & Mike [bodyguards] - Dan the American!

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Koby & Loby [the blind men] - Ian Thomas

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Koby & Loby [the blind men] - Stephen Rowland

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Anton Schill - Wally Walters

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Mrs Schill - Pauline Walters

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Son of the Schills - Robert Taylor

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Daughter of the Schills - Lisette Henry

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Schill Grandchildren - Sophie Paterson

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Schill Grandchildren - Louise Cutcliffe

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The Athlete - Gary Morgan

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The painter - Lynn Jones

Original

The Pastor - Iain Donaldson

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Herr Vogel - Brian Walters

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The Conductor and The Doctor - Roy Selfe

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The Schoolchildren - Tucker Jones

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The Schoolchildren - Melissa Jones

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The Schoolchildren - Niki Jones

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The Schoolchildren - Kimberly Powell

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The Schoolchildren - Jenny Powell

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The Schoolchildren - Jeffrey Hamilton

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The Schoolchildren - Kendall Hamilton

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The Burgomaster - Paul Surrey

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The Burgomaster's wife - Trudi Lowe

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The Schoolmaster - Mark Humble

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The Policeman - Keith Bollands

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Frau Hofbauer - Mary Honey

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Station Master - Chris Winslet

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The Reporter - Ian Thomas

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The Cameramen - Stephen Rowland

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The Cameramen - Jonathan Day

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Director - Judith Dolley

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Set design and construction - John Godliman

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Set design and construction - Brian Walters

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Stage Manager - John Godliman

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Lighting - Malcolm Meades

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Lighting - Nigel Longley

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Stage Manager (assistant) - Clare Pinnock

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Sound - Ian Santry

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Wardrobe - Margaret Williams

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Properties - Anne Nunn

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Set Construction (Assisted) - Anne Nunn

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Set Construction (Assisted) - Mark Humble

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Set Construction (Assisted) - Paul Surrey

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Set Construction (Assisted) - Keith Bollands

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Properties - Clare Pinnock

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Original Music - Chris Winslet