Theatre Department presents "Quills"

The Marquis de Sade imprisoned at Leeds Theatre Feb. 24-28

The Brown University Theatre Department will present a play that dramatizes the jailing of the Marquis de Sade during the French Revolution. "Quills," an intriguing new play by Doug Wright, will run at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1999, through Sunday, Feb. 28, in Leeds Theatre at the Catherine Bryan Dill Center for the Performing Arts.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A play that dramatizes the jailing of the Marquis de Sade in the Charenton Asylum during the later half of the 18th century will presented by the Brown University Theatre Department at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1999, through Sunday, Feb. 28, in the Leeds Theatre of the Catherine Bryan Dill Center for the Performing Arts, 77 Waterman St.

"Quills," a provocative new play by Doug Wright, takes place during the French Revolution and tells of the events surrounding the imprisonment of the French nobleman. Wright was awarded the 1996 Obie Award for Playwrighting for the work.

Born in 1740, the Marquis de Sade was notorious for his sexual exploits and erotic writings. Jailed on several occasions for committing extreme sexual acts, he is best known for the Rose Keller affair of 1768. Keller, a young prostitute, was kidnapped by the marquis and sexually abused. While in prison, he overcame his boredom and anger by writing sexually graphic novels and plays. "Justine," his most widely known work, is a book that makes the reader aware that the search for physical fulfillment can be achieved by the infliction of pain and cruelty.

A student production, "Quills" is under the direction of David Pressman, a senior theater concentrator, with set design by Lee Savage, lighting by R. Channing Moore, costumes by Amy Hofer and stage management by Julie Novacek. Cast members are Harry Barandes as Monsieur Prouix, Max Finneran as the Marquis de Sade, Lucas Fleischer as Coulmier, Gina Hirsch as Madeleine Leclerc, Kate Marks as Madam Royer-Collard, Rufus Tureen as the lunatic, Justine Williams as Renée Pélagie, and Chi-wang Yang as Dr. Royer-Collard.

Tickets are $13 for the general public, $9 for senior citizens and Brown employees and $5 for students. They are available at the Leeds Theatre Box Office. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and one hour before each performance. For more information or to make reservations, call 863-2838.