An award-winning Canadian play is getting a dose of present-day reality in a new production by Douglas College students.
Lion in the Streets, by Judith Thompson, is onstage at the Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre at Douglas College from Friday, March 16 to Friday, March 23. It’s presented by the college’s department of theatre and department of stagecraft and event technology.
In the original play, set in Toronto, a nine-year-old girl named Isobel is Portuguese-Canadian and adopted into a Portuguese family. In the Douglas College version, set in East Vancouver, Isobel is an Indigenous girl adopted by a Portuguese family.
Director Claire Fogal said the move to change the character’s background was a meaningful one.
“Given Isobel’s courage, innocence and strength, it makes sense for her to represent as First Nations because of what they are battling right now with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls,” Fogal said in a press release. “Isobel’s journey resonates more to me with the status of Indigenous people in Canada and the long oppression, the long silencing and ignoring.”
Before casting the play, Fogal reached out to Thompson to ensure the playwright supported her take, and Thompson’s response was “absolutely.” Fogal also consulted with Natalie Knight, an Indigenous instructor at the college, and with actor Kayla Krishna, who plays Isobel. The production has also received support from local First Nations elders.
The play also includes student actors Etella Keenan, Madison Severyn, Marina Cindrich, Emma Davis, Amanda Dinelle, Meghan Hallam, Leah Lueneberg, Dani Brekke, Christian van Geyn and Alex van Geyn. It also includes alumni Christian Krushel and Ian Duck.
Tickets to the show are $20 general, or $10 for seniors, students, matinees and Talkback Tuesdays. For tickets and show times, see lioninthestreets2018.bpt.me.
