The Camp (1967 play)

This article is about William Oliver's English translation of Griselda Gambaro's play El Campo.

The Camp is a Latin American play written by Argentinian playwright and prize-winning novelist, Griselda Gambaro.

Originally titled El Campo, the play opened in Buenos Aires in 1967 and since then has been translated into Portuguese, English, French, and Italian.

[2] It takes place in a modern Argentine Neo-Nazi[3] concentration camp and reflects upon a time when, although World War II had ended, Argentina was still very invested in fascist and militaristic ideals.

Young and attractive Martin shows up at an unidentified corporation and is told by a servant that Frank will soon be joining him to discuss his new occupation.

Frank and Martin discuss the political and social climate of the world while voices of children are heard below the window of the room.

Martin realizes that she has a number tattooed on her arm and is certain that she escaped from a camp,[6] and asks her certain things about her past, but Emma refuses to answer his questions.

The act ends on Frank pressuring Martin into saying he also had fun and Emma falling to the floor in a fit of uncontrollable scratching.

Screams of pain and noises of children playing are heard from outside the house, but Martin and Emma choose to ignore it.

She also looks through her suitcase and pulls out the only outfit her supposed secretary packed for her: a "red ball gown" (a prison smock just like the one she is wearing).

This is because Argentine militaries were trained by German armies in the early 20th century and long after fascist ideals left Europe they found a home in certain quarters of Argentina.

Long after World War II, fascist ideals and concentration camps were still very much a part of life for those living in Argentina.