Soulpepper Theatre Co — Attraction in Toronto

I saw the play "Red Like Fruit" recently at your theatre. I found the content distressing as trauma was the only lens through which sexually abused women were portrayed and understood. The ongoing, inappropriate laughter from the audience was evidence that the message was not understood. Sending the message that women cannot speak for themselves or that a good man must speak for them was not- I'm sure, your intent but it definitely came across as such.

The absence of any reference or mention of the rapes of Indigenous, Black, Trans, racialized, young, Queer and disabled women (assaulted at 3-5 times the rate of white women) was a glaring absence of which the journalist character should have been aware.

I work in the area of sexual assault and do not for a moment deny the trauma women experience but we must also recognize and respect their agency, joy, intelligence and ability to act - versus viewing them simply as a devastated "victim" or "survivor". We have been subjected to that construction for far too long.

I was particularly interested to see the area provided to audience members looking for a quiet, calm space to go if they found the material upsetting or challenging. The huge, cold, poorly lit, dusty room Soulpepper, playwright Hannah Moscovitch and director Christian Barry provided was shocking to see. One woman entered after me and assumed I was there in a consultive or counsellor capacity. She was the only person to attend and had I not been there she would have been alone. A single sheet of paper was stapled to a pole in the middle of the room advising women that they could call the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre if they required support. Clearly you didn't call the number yourselves as that agency has a massive waiting list and a taped message tells you that they will call you back as soon as possible - and to call the police if it is an emergency.

Such careless behaviour on the part of the playwright, director and yourselves is unkind, potentially damaging and part of the ongoing problem. You must never refer a person to counselling or relief if you are not positive that there will be a response.

So much work has been done on the issue of the nature of the crimes of sexual assault and woman's reactions to it. Many books, plays and films define its systemic nature versus isolating it to an act committed by one man against one woman.

A few examples are: "The Story of Jane Doe: A Book About Rape; Sexual Assault Law in Canada: Law, Legal Practice and Women's Activism; and the film "Slut or Nut: The Diary of a Rape Trial". And...

I wish I could give this theatre 5 stars. I would have and I will explain why I didn’t. It’s a small thing but an important thing. The space is lovely, it’s beautiful and they have a bevy of wonderful productions. We went for a community movie night and we were so excited. It was their first so we will give grace and hope this does not deter but more gets improved. The issue was they were clearly not prepared for the event. Which we saw on a couple of community and city platforms social - so they had to known it would be fairly decently attended. The issue was there was no seating set up and there wasn’t enough seating. The staff were trying to set up while people were on the space. It’s a relatively small space and it was clear that people were uncomfortable and as someone beside us said “I definitely didn’t expect gym mats at this theatre.” The idea is fantastic - community movie nights. The roll out of the actual experience was not. It’s fairly dangerous to also try setting up in a space that probably has a seating capacity of 50 with 30+ people already in it. The presenter of the night was clearly taken aback by the turn out which is such a positive thing and why I hate having to write this. You can’t set up and tear down with guests in the space. It’s not really safe and sends a very different message than what this theatre is known for. The movie was great. The concept was great. The way the roll out happened, not so great. Really hope this is taken constructively and can be improved on. There is really a special idea here and opportunity to engage the community and with some better preparation. This could be a really wonderful regular event. My partner and I have been here many times and will continue to come as it’s such a great theatre. Again, we give grace and hope this is taken constructively and know it the feedback is shared with respect and adoration for...

First Metis Man of Odesa

Tamara Zayachkowski

Matthew Mackenzie and Mariya Khomutova

Directed by Lianna Makuch.

Matthew and Mariya meet in Kiev on the beaches of Black Sea. Matthew is a playwright, mining

theatre material in Kyiv. Matthew dislikes classics but Mariya venerates and studies them, as

proud actress and a student of Stanslavski. They fall in love based on a mutual love of literature

and scholarship. But the pandemic and the Russian invasion keep them apart. There is a

stranger than fiction tone to the plot, as Matthew has to smuggle himself into Ukraine after the

pandemic to marry Mariya. She is very gratified by the noble and heroic gesture of love and

devotion. The romance present between the two despite their cultural and nationalistic

differences, is the best aspect of the plot. Building a life together amongst the backdrop of the

Russian invasion and raising their son with Mariya’s overbearing but loving mother in law. The

two face the challenges of parenting head on amidst the backdrop of the war. Matthew and

Mariya’s chemistry is beautiful given the fact that they are playing themselves. It feels like a very

authentic portrayal of a couple recanting memories of falling in love and getting married. I

especially liked the scene of Matthew going to the sweat lodge in preparation for the wedding

ceremony. I also love the scene of the wedding with Mariya’s parent’s blessings of Matthew’s

courage and determination in marrying Mariya’s during the Crimean invasion and the war of

I also loved the earlier scenes of her parents saying they were glad he has a good job and

is not an alcoholic. It added a layer of authenticity with the cultural humor. The play was clearly

made with a lot of love and sincerity, accentuated by the beautiful music by Daraba and warm

light. The director and the actors are clearly all...