When we interact or become intimate with people from another culture, do we seek to connect with the person or the culture? Do we project our perceptions onto that culture? Do we fail to make a true relationship because of our fears, ignorance, or arrogance?
alterNatives is a show with big ideas and yet remains quite intimate. Using themes of academia, philosophy, and First Nations’ legends it seems to brush people into categories. These themes serve to confront the characters’ own ignorance, their self-superiority or their hidden selves. The characters are human and deeply flawed. There are no saviors or heroes or magical wisemen to “show the light”. Any good intentions lead to awkwardness and uncomfortable presumptions. It is also very funny, ridiculing stereotypes. At the beginning, the show uses laugh tracks, the kind used for television sitcoms. The effect can be jarring but it sets the tone- expect the unexpected.
Colleen (Nadia Verrucci), a literature professor, is hosting a dinner party along with her new much younger love, Angel (Étienne Thibeault) an Anishnaabe writer. Colleen invited her vegan friends Dale and Michelle (Charles Bender, Natalie Tannous) to meet Angel for the first time, and his friends Bobby and Yvonne (Xavier Watso, Lesly Velázquez). Angel is displeased since he hadn’t seen his friends in years, even though they come from his community. When everyone arrives, the banter starts to wind up. Colleen prepared a roast moose, because she thought that might please Angel and his friends. She also prepared a vegetarian lasagna for Dale and Michelle. The meal preparation becomes the jump off for the antagonistic, insightful, and hysterical conversations. Bobby and Yvonne take pleasure in winding people up, mocking the others for their self-superiority at the expense of the lifestyle and heritage of First Nations culture. Michelle gets progressively drunk (Ms. Tannous plays the best drunk I’ve seen in a long time!) Colleen is confronted that her idea of literature is at odds with Angel’s plans. The power dynamics of the couples become frayed as truths are revealed.
The cast is splendid and they complement each other very well. The set features several tall piles of books. Colleen is surrounded by knowledge but she lacks insight and wisdom. The lights effects accentuate flickering awareness or deep-seated anger. Very impactful.
Storytelling is important- it can shape one’s identity. The past can, too. But that may not always be a good thing. The past may have been troublesome and some stories should be questioned.
Photo Credit: Andrée Lanthier
alterNatives. Written by Drew Hayden Taylor. Directed by Xavier Huard. Show continues to November 5, at the Centaur Theatre, 453 St-François-Xavier, Old Montreal. For tickets call the box office at 514-288-3161 or go to www.centaurtheatre.com
