THE 5 ROSES OF JENNIFER - by Annibale Ruccello - Monkey See Monkey Do

Written in the 1980's this is the first English translation and the International Premiere of Ruccello's Jennifer. Although the main character is transsexual, the central themes of 5 Roses of Jennifer are relevant to many of us today. These fragile figures that Ruccello has created will strike chords in many of us. Tragic & darkly comic, Jennifer has built her own reality and recreated herself within the safety of her four walls. Jennifer has pinned all her hopes on a gentleman she has met once and believes today is the day when he will finally call her after she has waited so long. Living on illusions and pretending she has integrated fully into her adopted nation, she becomes lost in old romantic Italian songs, till tragedy comes through her door.

Although written in the 80's the play's observations on the human condition of desiring to be something else because the world is not ready to accept one for what they really are is arguably more pertinent today than ever. Difference is still frowned upon and the desire to become more beautiful, richer and be loved can sometimes draw a person away from their real essence and this can generate disaster on a personal level. This is a simple story of how a person can become a victim of their own obsessions and generate more pain for themselves due to self-destructive fears.

The play was born under a special star for me. I saw a production written by Ruccello 13 years ago in a theater in my home city of Naples in Italy. I discovered the author had died at the age of 30 in a car accident. I started to read all his work and fell in love with Jennifer. I moved to London, always at the back of my mind wanting to translate his work and bring it to a new English speaking audience. Finally, we recieved Ruccello's mothers blessing and in this year, the 20th anniversary of his death, Jennifer begins her journey to new lands and audiences.

- Sabina Cangiano, director/translator