Last week’s edition was the most successful so far of the monthly talks organised by the British Council. The merit goes to an original idea by the institution of hosting a one-act play by Gaston Valayden. The play was short but sweet – or perhaps we should say bitter-sweet, given the subject…with a touch of humour and a lot of underlying questions on the relationship between a couple, as infidelity leads them to confront the fact that they are infected with HIV-Aids. The great interest shown by the audience during the interactive talk after the play led by Michel Cundasamy showed to what extent the public feels concerned about the disease and its implications for themselves but – above all – for their children (see inset).

“I have a gift for you.” This line by the wife to her husband before he leaves her for his mistress marks the turning-point of the play. The action actually begins with the wife studying a piece of paper in the gloomy atmosphere of the couple’s room. Even though she does not say what there is on the piece of paper, her reaction leads the public to think that one of them is infected with the virus. She decides not to say anything to her husband about the disease but she adopts an ironical tone that finally allows her to reveal to her husband that she has always known he had a mistress.

The husband first tries to calm her down– although he never denies the facts. The argument between the man and his wife is so close to reality that the public couldn’t help laughing, as it was so easy to relate to these characters. Even though this story of a couple breaking up could appear tragic, the irony of the wife and the cool tone of the husband create comedy at times.

But the atmosphere starts changing when the husband realises that his wife is in possession of real facts – “I saw you!” – and that she is not ready to close her eyes to his adulterous relationship this time. A simple comment by the wife – “you will not wear this tie” – which implies that it is a present from his mistress, brings about a real escalation of the conflict and finally leads the wife to hand over the envelope containing her medical report to him.

Although he was ready to leave her – after throwing hurtful insults at her – five minutes before, the husband now appears ready to do “anything to help”. The more so as his wife relates how she caught the disease. “When I saw you with her in that bungalow, I was so hurt that I went to the pub across the road and met a stranger… and I had sex with him.”

And, as if his guilt was not enough as punishment, she adds. “Do you remember that night when you came home completely drunk. I refused to have sex with you… and you raped me!”

There is no doubt that the “powerful performances” – as British Council Marketing events and PR manager, Yasmin Hedoo, put it – of the actors raised of lot of questions among the public – as confirmed by the interactive talk after the play.

<B>Fears about the needle exchange programme</B>

The talk also showed that the needle exchange programme was still not properly understood by many people. Even though it has not been introduced yet, some people are afraid that we soon may have to face the same problem as with condoms. “Today, condoms are practically placed on the dinner table, who knows if it will not be the same for needles?” But Pils members made it clear that the programme was a complete process with the ultimate aim of leading drug users to stop injecting themselves.

<B>Lively discussions on the role of Pils</B>

The discussions after the play pointed at the growing anxiety of parents faced with the threat of HIV-Aids. As a board member of Pils, Michel Cundasamy first gave some information on how the disease is spread and, above all, means of protection. But it rapidly showed how some parents were “horrified” to see how sex is becoming so easy and condoms so freely available.

But as members of Pils explained, “Of course we tell them that they should wait before having sex, that it is important to be ready in their heads and hearts. We try and explain the importance of love… But, I mean, it should rather be the role of parents and schools to teach such values to children. We have two hours for a talk in a school and we can’t make sure children learn all these values during that time. What we have to do is to ensure that the virus stops spreading…”

Even though some people present agreed with him, many still showed a certain fear that the fact that condoms are so accessible makes sex even more commonplace for youngsters. The talk ended with a student who wanted to clarify a point. “We, as adolescents, are not stupid and can face our responsibilities… as long as we get the right information.”… So be warned!