Political polarization is all too familiar in today’s political climate, but Denis O’Hare’s “The Duchy” takes it a step further. Set in the near future, O’Hare’s new play imagines a time when red and blue states have separated, leaving only a tiny island of neutrality called the Duchy.
“The Duchy” is a new sci-fi dystopian thriller created by O’Hare and directed by Lisa Peterson. The production marks the pair’s third collaboration at Spoleto Festival USA, following the one-person play “An Iliad” in 2023 and “The Song of Rome” last year.
In addition to “The Duchy,” O’Hare and Peterson have brought their play “George + George” to Spoleto this year, where it has played to sold-out audiences.
The idea behind “The Duchy” first came to O’Hare during the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
“We’ve been joking for years about red states and blue states and the fact that we are almost two different countries,” he said. “And a lot of people have posited the idea that maybe there’ll be a separation. I wanted to focus on, you know, what would that look like? But rather than getting into the weeds, I just set it in the post-separation world. I’m more interested in my characters’ developing conscience.”
Rather than a fully staged production, “The Duchy” will be presented as a table read on May 31 at the Emmett Robinson Theatre at College of Charleston.
A table read gives audiences an early look at a script without sets, costumes or technical elements, followed by a post-show discussion with O’Hare.
The cast of “George + George” is pulling double duty, taking on roles in “The Duchy” as well.
“We’re very lucky that we have such fantastic and versatile actors that they can pull this off,” O’Hare said.
The reading marks the first time Spoleto has presented a table read.
“For us, it’s a new way of showing work that is in development,” says Spoleto associate producer Leah Hennessy. “The idea is that by presenting a work that is still being finessed, we’re really pulling back the curtain on the process of what it takes to develop theater all the way to a fully staged production.”
Through satire, “The Duchy” explores the dangers of division and the lack of connection that can result. Set in 2041, the play features a cast of secret cyborgs and centers on two security guards from opposite ends of the political spectrum.
The inhabitants of the Duchy, formerly Las Vegas, hope to host a debate that might encourage cooperation between red and blue states and begin addressing the effects of division on citizens on both sides. However, an escalating political crisis makes the proposal increasingly dangerous.
“The play is about this meeting that never takes place because things just go awry,” O’Hare said.
Direct personal experience also shaped O’Hare’s approach.
“You know, as a 64-year-old now, I would say my politics have not changed all that much,” he said. “However, some things have changed. Some things that I used to believe I’m not quite as passionate about anymore.”
The idea led him to consider what draws people to particular belief systems and what circumstances might challenge or alter those beliefs.
While the show tackles intense themes of political polarization, O’Hare believes it also has the power to bring audiences together. Through satire, he hopes viewers of different political perspectives can find common ground in humor and in the play’s broader message about the consequences of division.
Although the table read will present a stripped-down version of the play, Hennessy said plans are under way for a full Spoleto production next year.
“I’m currently working with Dennis and Lisa to develop a budget that would lead us to a full production of ‘The Duchy’ in ’27,” she said.
The production would include full-body character morphing and a world shaped by artificial intelligence. O’Hare has been envisioning the set since writing the play.
“It’s a series of translucent sliding panels that can have projections on them, and it’s basically a series of hallways that can be adapted to other spaces,” he said.
Because much of the action takes place in hallways, O’Hare envisions using projections and lighting to distinguish each setting.
“The set is very much a video projection world. The idea of tech is in the play, but there’s not a whole lot of tech on stage because you don’t have to do it; you can just talk about it. A good designer will run with that, so I’m excited to see what they’ll come up with.”
IF YOU WANT TO GO:
“Table Read: The Duchy” will be performed May 31 at 1 p.m. at the Emmett Robinson Theatre at College of Charleston. The run time is approximately two hours. Admission is free.
Cristina Reid is an arts journalism and communications graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.