Eastern Student Derek Bleau of Quinebaug Performs in Theatre Production

2015 Oct 23

Derek Bleau of Quinebaug performed in Eastern Connecticut State University's production of the award-winning contemporary play, "Pornography" by Simon Stephens. The play, which was put on by the Performing Arts Department and Drama Society, was performed in Eastern's Harry Hope Theater from Oct. 6-11.

The production provided audience members with an eerie and extraordinary portrait of the events of July 7, 2005, in London, England, when several bombs went off in the London transport system, killing 56 people including the four bombers. The themes of home-grown terrorism, the effects of a consumerist culture, and the alienation and objectification of individuals were only a few of the themes portrayed in the production.

"This play allowed us the opportunity to explore sensitive, controversial and relevant topics, such as home-grown terrorism, that plague our society" said director David Pellegrini, professor of theatre.

The play's script is unique in that the director receives a manuscript with all of the characters' lines, but can rearrange them in any way they want. "Having the ability to rearrange the lines made for a one-of-kind performance of this production," said Pellegrini.

The ambiguous exploration of morality in "Pornography" impacted the ensemble as well. "It was quite the intellectual challenge finding a true meaning behind the play. Right down to the show and even in between shows I was constantly analyzing the meaning behind different lines and why we were saying them. Even after the play's conclusion, I still wonder how different characters could be interpreted," said communication major Derek Bleau '16. "In the end, the play still has me wondering about its motives, and I challenge myself in explaining to others what it truly meant. I can't say I've ever experienced an exploration of human character and morality like we did in this show, and it was beyond enlightening."