Murder by machine?

Press, 23 July 1986, Page 22

Murder by machine?

Can the intensity of a man’s memory commit murder? Can a machine commit suicide? These questions have surprising answers in the Free Theatre’s latest production, “The Mortal Pleasure of Wanda Lust.” Scientist Wanda Lust builds a suicide machine in which she sets out to explore the hidden landscape of a lover’s memory and imagination. Endal Lust is the reluctant victim of Wanda’s obsession. The play is the fourth by Stuart McKenzie to be performed by the Free Theatre. He says the use of the name Endal Lust has no connection with a Christchurch actor with a similar name but simply personifies the character. His last play, “The Rapist Over Suzannah,” was toured to Dunedin. “The Mortal Pleasure of Wanda Lust” featuresa

set by visual artists Robin Neate and Rudolf Boelee, a suicide machine created by sculptor Evan Webb, and an original sound track by Roy Montgomery. The cast is Christine Rogers as Wanda Lust, Charles Heywood as Endal, Lara Strongman as Linda Body, Bea Cheer as Aida Strongman, Rudolf Boelee as Monsieur Analdle France, David McKenzie as Mr Knotter Benny, and Stuart McKenzie as Arthur Fuch. The production opens tomorrow at the theatre’s Arts Centre venue and will run until August 2.