For lovers of intrigue, illicit romance and revenge plots, the Tulane Department of Theatre and Dance’s will deliver the upcoming production of “The Maids.”

With showings at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and two 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday at the Dixon Performing Arts Center, students and faculty alike will have ample opportunity to watch an intense French play.

Written by Jean Genet and translated by Bernard Frechtman, the play revolves around the violent fantasies of two sisters who work as maids. The two protagonists despise their employer and subsequently work to bring their dark fantasies to life.

Senior Becca Greaves, who portrays the older sister, Solange, said the darkness of her character is one of her favorite parts of working on the play.

“She’s really fun to play,” Greaves said. “I’ve not been the bad character.”

By contrast, junior Caroline McCance said that her character, Claire, is not quite so cold, though her vicious actions with her sister may speak contrarily.

“Claire isn’t as comfortable with the reality of the situation as Solange is,” McCance said. “Claire is a little bit more tentative about it — about actually doing away with her employer.”

The play’s exploration of desire and violence calls for powerful performances. The cast has pushed its limits with the help of director Antony Sandoval, the current head of Acting at Tulane’s Theatre and Dance Department.

Junior Grace O’Keefe, who plays the part of the wealthy employer, noted the departure from her usual roles in musical theater.

“It’s a different type of ‘pushing it’ in drama,” O’Keefe said. “Musical theatre’s all happy, and this is pushing it to the point of craziness. You just don’t know what’s going to happen … That’s Antony’s style, and I think that’s really interesting.”

The cast urges the audience to approach the show with an open mind. It’s a challenging play, but “The Maids” is sure to be a thought-provoking experience.