A tall barbed wire fence and Muslim detainees lying down on several cots greet the audience as they walk into the Studio Theater. Welcome to Guantanamo Bay Prison. As the viewers take their seats they become an intrinsic part of the theater’s highly political new production, Guantanamo: “Honor Bound to Defend Freedom.”
Guantanamo tells the true story of four British detainees at Guantanamo Bay. Each detainee’s story is revealed through actual letters, interviews, lectures and other public statements. The mens’ family members, lawyers and various government officials give the audience these accounts from the front of the stage while the prison lies in the background. Throughout the play the audience can see the men doing exactly what detainees do???nothing. For the entire two hours of the production, as well as the intermission, the detainees remain captive on stage.
The evidence provided in the play clearly identifies each detained man as innocent. Early in the play each character’s situation and life is carefully mapped out. The audience can see that these men were in the wrong place at the wrong time, but more than anything they are jailed for being Muslim in a post-Sept. 11 world.
The stories told are too one- sided. Throughout the production the only American who speaks is Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. The playwright chooses to reenact one particular press conference in which Rumsfeld talks in circles, and frankly makes less sense than he usually does. Providing a source that doesn’t sound quite as absurd, but at the same time foils the other characters’ statements would have better expressed the playwright’s desire to underscore the Americans’ complete incompetence.
There is no music in the entire production except for the chanting of the Qur’an at three different times. The lights are kept purposefully dim and the actors speak in simple, plain lines with little movement. Ramiz Monsef, who plays both a detainee and a military lawyer, gives a particularly captivating performance. Monsef completely transforms himself between the two characters, and he keeps each character equally believable. Harsh Mayyar, who plays a detainee’s father, manages to capture the paternal pain caused by his son’s unjust treatment. Throughout the play he holds an expression on his face that looks as if he could break into tears at any moment.
The audience plays a significant role in the production of Guantanamo: “Honor Bound to Defend Freedom.” During Rumsfeld’s press conference they are the reporters. When the lawyer presents their individual cases they refer to the viewers as “you the jury.” Most importantly, the audience plays the role of the American public. The viewers sit and watch the tragic acts take place as passively as the nation at large.
At the close of the play the detainees are performing their daily prayers. The actors do not take a bow; they simply keep on praying. The audience is forced to conclude that the play has ended. Even as they walk out, Guantanomo reminds them that the human rights of innocent men continue to be violated in Guantanamo Bay whether America is watching or not.
Guantanomo runs until Dec. 11 2005. Tickets: $38-$46. To purchase tickets visit: www.studiotheater.org.
