Members of the cast rehearse scenes from the play at VIU's Malaspina Theatre. Ross Desprez Photo
What: Collateral Damage, VIU Theatre Department fall play
When: October 19 to 21 and 26 to 28
Where: VIU’s Malaspina Theatre (Building 310), Nanaimo campus
Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Theatre Department presents playwright Jackie Crossland’s Collateral Damage this fall.
Collateral Damage explores and reimagines the ancient Greek myth of Medea. In the original myth, Medea’s husband deserts her for another woman and she takes revenge by slaying her own children. Crossland portrays Medea as a woman who deals with her circumstances as best she can through an exaggerated, comedic and theatrical style.
The show features a chorus and original melodies by VIU Theatre Professor Eliza Gardiner. AI-generated imagery will be projected to illustrate various locations in the play.
Ross Desprez, Director and a VIU Theatre Professor, said the style takes the Brechtian theory of alienation a step further by having the actors narrate their own stories. The theory tries to distance or alienate the audience from the characters so they are observers who can understand the play intellectually rather than emotionally.
“The performers are first presented to the audience as actors who then assume roles within the play,” said Desprez. “In this production, the playwright has combined these modern conventions with those of traditional Greek tragedy. The Greek chorus is introduced as a group of modern women who reflect upon the action. They also take on various roles creating a play within a play.”
Audience members are advised that the play involves strong language and imagery concerning rape and murder. The show runs October 19 to 21 and October 26 to 28 at 7:30 pm at VIU’s Malaspina Theatre (Building 310) at the Nanaimo campus. There is a matinee on October 26 at 10 am. Tickets are $10 and are available on Eventbrite.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Rachel Stern, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University
C: 250.618.0373 l E: Rachel.Stern@viu.ca | T: @VIUNews
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