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Wasurachata Unaprom first saw Albert Camus' 1943 play "The Misunderstanding" 10 years ago when he was studying drama at Thammasat University.

"I was particularly struck by the daughter, Martha, who joined her mother in murdering her elder brother when he returned home after 15 years, just as they'd murdered their lodgers.

"The mother then jumped off a cliff, leaving Martha alone. She lost the only family activity that bonded her to her mother."

This compelling domestic dysfunction - by which Camus offered existential justification for any deed carefully planned - has inspired Wasurachata's performance piece "Silent Scream: Journey to the Dream of Murderer", opening today at the Siam Democrazy Theatre Studio.

"Personally, I don't agree with the justification," he hastens to add. "Everyone regrets his misdeeds, even though the tell others they feel nothing."

Wasurachata is insisting on calling his revisit with Martha a "performance, not theatre".

"I'm not telling any story. I'd rather the audience feels what Martha feels. Performance, more than theatre, allows you to pick certain parts or themes that you're interested in and stage them without having to worry about the story line."

"Silent Scream" utilises physical movement devised with the help of sole actor Patrasuda "Bua" Anumanrajadhon, video art by Mahidol University International College Professor Millie Young and soundscape by French artist Mauerhan Baptiste, "plus a little bit of installation art".

"I chose Bua after seeing her in 'Love and Money' this year, for which I designed the lighting. I really like her inner reality and intensity."

"It's the most difficult role I've ever taken," says Bua. "It's very physically demanding, so I've been back to the pool and the gym."

There are just five minutes of dialogue from Camus' original script, and it's delivered in English.

XTRA

See "Silent Scream" tomorrow through November 30 (tonight's show is sold out) at Siam Democrazy Theatre Studio on Soi Saphan Koo, daily at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost Bt200 at (080) 783 2727.

Discover more at www.SiamDemocrazy.com.