An interview with the Untold Wants Theatre Company of Vancouver's B.C. 'Gruesome Playground Injuries'
Onstage Blog Vancouver B.C. Writer Teri Ho
Childhood friends, Doug and Kayleen, are kindred spirits who meet over the course of thirty years. Every time one is drawn back into the other’s life, with a new self-inflicted wound, but are met with the decision to stay together or go their separate ways again. This funny, touching play takes a microscope to the societal repercussions of love and family, and explores the psychological and physical toll it can take on the two people in this world who are keeping each other alive. Pulitzer Prize play writing finalist for “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo”, and Obie-winning playwright, Rajiv Joseph, explores the depth of connection that two people can forge within, and from behind, the walls of self-destruction.
Eanna O’Dowd plays Doug and is a co-producer. India Rose Shaw plays Kathleen and is a co-producer. Jessica Aquila Cryderman directs and is a co-producer. Both Eanna and Jessica are founders of Untold Wants Theatre.
Onstage Blog Canada chatted via email about their show.
What sort of person is going to love this show?
India: Gruesome Playground Injuries is a remarkable play. I think it appeals to many audiences, particularly those interested in watching an alternative love story that takes place over a long period of time, where you get to really delve into the lives of the characters. It also tugs at your heartstrings, and makes you laugh where you least expect.
Éanna: I think it’s a pretty universal play; it opens itself up to appeal to a wide audience. You can laugh, you can cry, and really appreciate those connections to people in your life you may not be appreciating fully at the moment.
Jessica (director): Somebody that really wants to understand why people do what they do; what makes a person tick, and someone who loves an alternative love story. Somebody who loves the idea that people can come together both in times of happiness and adversity, and who maybe wants to see a portrayal of adversity being the catalyst that brings people closer. This play can speak to all generations, all tastes, all genders, preferences, and I think it is about raw love, survival and family, and what it means to be alive. Anybody that likes looking at the human condition will relate to this play!
What will the audience take away from this production?
India: Personally, when reading the play, I always feel very hopeful and uplifted by the end. Even though it can be dark in places, ultimately, I think the play challenges the reader/audience to be reflective and consider the paths they have taken and the deep connections that draw us to one another.
Éanna: It’s about a connection with another soul: Another human being. It sheds light on that intrinsic understanding of the other, that we kind of find maybe once if we’re lucky. The play does show the complexity of the word love, which is ever growing and changing. And relationships. They’re hard to define, and the play makes that okay. Relationships don’t have to mean boyfriend and girlfriend, or labeling with “love,” Sometimes it can just be “care.” The play transcends social constraints.
Jessica (director): The thing that’s really going to surprise people about this show is actually how funny it is. We talk about love and injuries and loss and the boundaries that people put around themselves to keep vulnerability at bay, but because of this the play is actually really funny. The characters are kindred spirits. You could argue that they’re soulmates. So their volley and shorthand with each other is pithy, and fiery and as a result we get some really funny moments, and the poignancy of the play actually mostly comes out of those.
What character traits do you share with your character?
India: I think I share Kayleen's determination and introspective nature, as well as a bit of her stubbornness!
Éanna: Oh Doug. Doug’s a really interesting guy. He’s got a lot of feelings, that he can’t really put into words. He tries, bless him, he does try. He’s the type of person, I feel we all want to be in some way. He’s brave, he’s passionate, he’s loyal, he’s protective. I like to think I’m similar, but maybe it’s the good intentions he brings to situations that I empathize with the most. And he does have this freedom to just feel his feelings, which I admire.
What is challenging about bringing this production to life?
India: Because the play in non-linear, it's going to be challenging communicating the passage of time between scenes and the ages that our characters are in each. But that's part of the fun of it!
Éanna: The play has a wonderful mix of comedy and heart, so communicating that balance is key.
Jessica (director): Untangling the non-linear aspect of the story. We get to see the characters from age 8 to 38, but completely out of order. So, the challenge is portraying the characters’ journeys both individually, and together, why they come in and out of each other’s lives each time, why they have the injuries they do, what those injuries tell us about their feelings toward each other now that they’re back together?
All of you are from different countries. How is the theatre climate different there than here in Vancouver? How is it the same?
India: Being from the UK, it's brilliant to be in Vancouver and see so many Canadian and American plays and productions onstage that I haven't been as exposed to. But like the UK, the standard of theatre here in Vancouver is fantastic and I feel lucky to be part of a production in this city.
Éanna: Theatre is definitely more of a focus than TV and film in Ireland. This city can often be seen as the opposite from the outside. But when you immerse yourself in the richness of the theatre community in this city, it actually opens itself up to you. You just have to look for it. A lot of the good theatre here is fringe, and so you have to hear about it from a friend or colleague, but I promise those are the shows that are really worth seeing! There are a lot of talented and passionate theatremakers in this city. We should embrace and celebrate them.
Jessica (Director): I come from Los Angeles, where the same thing is said about the city’s relationship to theatre versus TV and Film. And I stand by the fact that some of the best theatre I’ve seen is in LA. And I agree that in Vancouver, you really have to go looking for it, but once you tap in to that community, the city’s art and magic comes alive through live performance.
Do either of the actors have any pre/post show rituals?
India: For me it really depends on the show. But I always like to play pre-show games onstage with the other actors and do some concentration exercises to get focused with one another. And post-show, I love to play a tune and dance around the stage!
Éanna: I do a really nerdy full body and vocal warm up. Not so much a ritual, but I try to get my muscles and voice warm, and then bond with my fellow actors, and get my mindset into the world of the play, and into the psyche of my character, so I can be ready to play onstage!
Gruesome Playground Injuries plays February 5th to the 15th at the Vanity Culture Lab, 1825 Venables Street in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Show Warnings:
Coarse language, depictions of self harm.
Show Length:
90min, no intermission
Show Times:
Feb 5th 8:00pm – Preview
Feb 6th 8:00pm – Opening
Feb 7th & 8th – 8:00pm
Feb 9th – 2:00pm
Feb 12th – 14th – 8:00pm
Feb 15th – 2:00pm
Tickets:
Preview: $15.00 + service charges (sc)
Adult: Starting at $25.00 + sc
Student/Senior $20 + sc
Other members of the production team include:
Lighting Designer: Phil Miguel; Set Designer: Bailey Kay; Stage Manager: Peter Grant; Sound Designer: Jamie Amadruto; Publicist: Damon Bradley Jang.