The Mythology of War - An Iliad at Shadow Theatre

 Marc J. Chalifoux Photography

Last weekend I took in An Iliad at Shadow Theatre. The Iliad is an epic story from Greek Mythology recounting the battle of Troy. You've likely got some bits and pieces of it floating in your head, from Helen of Troy, to Achilles, to Odysseus, to The Trojan Horse. And of course, there's all those deities mixed up in it with vested interests: Athena, Apollo, Ares, and others. I'm very familiar, having directed The Penelopiad (the story of Odysseus' long suffering wife, Penelope) and having read Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles last year and just finished her more recent novel Circe. I felt a bit surrounded by the Myth, but familiarity does cultivate affection. 

At the centre of this production, is the poet, played masterfully by Michael Peng. Peng is an excellent story-teller and even injured and constrained in his movement he weaves a compelling tale about the Trojan War. I appreciated that this retelling does not pick sides but rather tells the tale from the perspective of both sides. We hear about Hector as well as Achilles. The poet sees and relates wrongs and triumphs of either side of the wall. He has been telling this story for centuries and we are getting the version that's a little under 2 hours. He tells us he's told versions that last several days. The weight of that underscores the shorter version we receive. 

 Marc J. Chalifoux Photography

You can't help but reflect beyond the mythology and think about the essential nature of war, in fact, Peng draws our attention to war in the world over our long human history up to today. The list feels endless and sadly incomplete. As we live in a world with increasing tensions, it is perhaps a kindness to reflect on war through the lens of an ancient mythological one. I certainly have thought a lot about war lately and how relatively safe we are in North America (and growing less so). There are many places in the world where war is first-hand and deadly, and while the play does not provide answers to humanity's ongoing conflicts, the recognition that both sides of any conflict are human is important. 

As I mentioned earlier, the story is well-told by Peng. He is also supported by the live score created by Erik Mortimer on a variety of instruments. The music and sound is thoughtful and supportive of the storytelling. Directed by John Hudson, the blocking is simple, yet effective, as it avoids distracting from the story. I guess with an uninjured narrator you could add more physical action to the story-telling, but I actually found it very engaging to focus on the images created by the words, and the emotion layered on Peng's face and in his voice. Set in a lonely bar (set design by Scott Peters), where all the best stories are told, the show relies on the best of story-telling, the testimony of "I was there, I saw this, and it was devastating." 

An Iliad is presented by Shadow Theatre and runs at the Varscona until February 8th. Tickets are $25-40 with several Pay-What-You-Can performances and they can be purchased here. 

Fun Fact: The crutches used in the show came from my garage! A call went out for wooden crutches and I happened to have 3 sets of wooden crutches hanging in there, as well as 2 sets of metal crutches... don't ask... 

Tiny Beautiful Things at Shadow Theatre - Theatre for Your Soul!

 Tiny Beautiful Things at Shadow Theatre
Photo Credit: Marc J. Chalifoux Photography and Video

In Tiny Beautiful Things by Nia Vardalos (of My Big Fat Greek Wedding fame), anonymous online columnist “Sugar” receives letters asking for advice, to which she responds with reflections on her own life which helps those seeking guidance (and the audience) with their own challenges. Michelle Todd is perfectly cast as Sugar (aka author Cheryl Strayed). Todd is warm and empathetic, and makes you believe that Sugar is in a good place now, but that there have been many terrible things in her life that she has overcome. The portrayal is honest, emotional when necessary, and layered with a gentle humour. The letter writers (played by the trio of Michael Peng, Brett Dahl and Sydney Williams) embody a wide variety of humans seeking advice for a wide variety of life challenges. Their portrayals are also honest and generous to each other and the audience. Peng is particularly moving as father in mourning. I was worried that a play based on letters back and forth would become a bit 'talking heads' but directors John Hudson and Lana Hughes have wisely created a world where Sugar interacts with her petitioners in conversation - they are welcome in her home (an adorable set designed by C.M. Zuby). It's dynamic and healing. 

 Tiny Beautiful Things at Shadow Theatre
Photo Credit: Marc J. Chalifoux Photography and Video

I mention that it felt a bit like therapy (in a good way) as the stories told by Sugar made me reflect on my own past and current emotional challenges. I am still thinking about some of these things several days later. With laughter, some tears, and some gentle introspection this show is one that will feed your soul. If you don't connect to all the stories, you are bound to relate to a few of them. 

Tiny Beautiful Things is presented by Shadow Theatre at the Varscona Theatre and runs until May 12th. Tickets are $25-$38 and there are Pay-What-You-Can nights. You can purchase tickets here. 

An Accident... Forgiving Yourself and Moving On...

Years ago, someone very close to me was driving on a dark winter's night.  She was not driving recklessly or fast, but it was winter and a little icy and dark.  She rounded a corner in a subdivision and a black object flew onto the road in front of her - it looked like a black garbage bag - she braked and tried to avoid hitting it but it came out too fast and she hit it and slid down the road with it under her car for a few metres. It was not a garbage bag.  It was a 10 or 11 year old boy who was tobogganing into the road from a snowbank alongside the subdivision street.  There wasn't anything she could have done other than being psychic to avoid it.  Thankfully, he was ultimately okay, but he did suffer a head injury and was hospitalized for some time until he recovered.  Until he was okay, it was a part of her - a constant piece of her mind was dedicated to worry and a feeling of responsibility and a need to be engaged in active thought towards his recovery. I imagine it still is today...

I thought a lot about this after seeing Northern Light Theatre's production of An Accident.  Things happen, accidents happen, we do not intend them to happen.  They happen when we are not even being careless.  They are not intentional.  They are accidents.  But we own them.  We dwell on them.  We feel responsible.  We need things to be okay. And on the other side, when we are damaged by others, however unintentionally, we want redress.  We want someone to be responsible.  We want it not to just be an accident. We want to assign blame and have an answer for the why did this happen? This production so beautifully articulated these zig-zagging feelings of responsibility and blame and of the connection between those who are injured and those who have injured.  Michael Peng and Melissa Thingelstad play injurer and injured respectively - neither completely blameless or responsible - both angry and sad and tied together. Trevor Schmidt's direction and their performances are heart-breaking and ultimately cathartic.

I have had the extreme pleasure of seeing a lot of theatre this season due to my good fortune and winning that awesome prize.  Based on the quality of the work and the thought-provoking and  engaging theatre I have seen at Northern Light Theatre this season I will definitely be buying season's tickets for next year.