"Although much of our life is rooted in the anxiety of time, in other words the fear of death, the continuity of knowledge and wisdom that has brought us here together is rooted in love, a love that is not only as strong as death, but able to cast out its fear."
--Northrop Frye
Being in school full-time, buying lunches when I'm lazy, and simultaneously being a shopaholic means I don't have a lot of extra cash to spend on extracurricular activities or entertainment. Last night, I laughed so hard I cried and it only cost me $10 (thanks to a special discount). Our entire class went to see Michael Healey's Proud last night performed by Theatre Projects Manitoba at the Rachel Browne Theatre.
I didn't know what to expect from the political play I had never heard of. Since we were sent on a school assignment, I admit I was expecting a snore-fest. It was anything but that.
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The premise:
The federal Conservatives win a majority government by a landslide in 2011. The Prime Minister of Canada (played by Ross McMillan) takes advantage of a somewhat unknowledgeable MP named Jisbella Lyth (Daria Puttaert) who didn't have to do a whole lot to get elected. Lyth ends up becoming a distraction to hide what the PM really plans to do behind the scenes without the media finding out about it.
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I don't want to give too much away, but I feel the play was an exagerrated and distorted version of reality. That being said, I don't actually know what goes on behind the closed doors to the PMO's office. The dialogue and mannerisms of the PM (McMillan does a mean Harper impression [for the record the character was technically not Harper but there were striking similarities...]) were a highlight. His awkward and robotic social interactions had me on the edge of my seat begging for more. I was shocked by the amount of f-bombs that were dropped. I'm no prude, but it seemed like every other sentence had at least one (or, you know, 10). It was excessive. I don't think anyone talks like that - even the most unprofessional of people.
I had never seen a play heavily based on government or politics at all before, so that was new for me. I also didn't expect a show about politicians behind-the-scenes to be funny. I hadn't laughed as hard as I did last night since I saw Sound & Fury's Hamlet and Juliet at Winnipeg Fringe this past summer.
There was a talkback session following the performance. One thing that stuck out to me was McMillan talking about his mannerisms and portrayal of the Prime Minister. He said even years prior to receiving the role Stephen Harper fascinated to him and that he found it easy to act like him. He said because he thinks Harper puts on a performance in the public eye, it was easy to imitate him.
All in all, it was an interesting and entertaining play. I would see it again and recommend it. It's a thought-provoking piece that makes you wonder how and if government really does pull the wool over the eyes of the media and the public - or at least may try to.
Be warned though - there is sexual content. And a whole lot of ma-freakin' swearing.
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