Island of Slaves

Four shipwreck survivors—two servants, two masters—arrive on a strange island where the laws require they switch roles to learn a lesson in humanity. Robert Woodruff’s production sets Marivaux’s savagely witty farce in Club Utopia, a once-glamorous cabaret where a team of scandalously lovely performers are about to throw the party of a lifetime for their visitors.

SYNOPSIS

Many years ago, a group of fugitive slaves colonized a remote island and established a society of absolute equality. They determined to do away with all class distinctions; any former masters arriving on the island would have to be retrained in the ways of democracy, or else put to death.

Now a storm at sea maroons four people—two aristocrats and their slaves—on the island. They are met by an administrator who instructs the masters and slaves to switch names, clothes, and roles, so beginning their lesson in humanity.

Production Sponsors:

Barbara and Steve Grossman
CHANEL, Boston