Theatre grads bring Unity (1918) to the stage

Pandemics are not old news, nor are the complicated dynamics between women — which is why the Fanshawe theatre arts program's graduate performance of Unity (1918) is actually quite relevant to today's crowd.

Written by Canadian author, Kevin Kerr, and winner of the 2002 Governor-General's Award, Unity (1918) follows four women in Unity, Saskatchewan from October 15 to November 28, 1918.

But the play is more about the relationships between each woman, and between the women and men of the town, than about the historical happenings around them — Spanish flu, WWI.

While it may not be a well-known play, its context is one that speaks to audience members despite being set in a different era. It also gave female students meaty parts to work with, said John Dolan, coordinator and professor in the theatre arts program.

“It's hard to find good roles for women and the age range (in this play) works for this range of women (in the class),” he said. “It's a period piece but deals with circumstances still prevalent in people's lives today.”

Some of these circumstances involve the general fear society experiences in times of war — today there are concerns over terrorism and swine flu — and circumstances closer to home like resentment among siblings and unrequited love.

Heather McKinnon plays Beatrice Wilde, a 21-year-old girl who is the sole caretaker of her father and younger sister, Sissy. She leads a reserved life, keeping quiet because back then nothing was ever really talked about — instead she finds solace in her journal.

Despite having different lives, McKinnon finds a lot of commonalities between her and Beatrice, as well as the characteristics of the other roles.

“The contrast between our lives today and theirs back then — there are a lot of similarities you wouldn't expect,” she said. “I feel a strong connection to this play.”

Also, the opportunity to learn more about Canada's history has been something that she's appreciated and thinks audience members will too, she added.

Carlyn Rhamey, who plays Sissy — the emotional, free-spirited polar opposite to Beatrice, believes that the character's situations and personalities are what will ultimately draw people to the play.

“We hope when people see it — they relate to the characters,” she said. It's the same stuff we deal with — first boyfriend…friendships, love, sex, death. It's an interesting play.”

Unity (1918) will have a preview performance February 17 at 8 p.m., then will have performances on February 18 to 20 at 8 p.m., and February 20 to 21 at 2 p.m. at the Fanshawe College CITIplaza Campus (downtown at King and Clarence). Contact Francesca Ranalli-Atherton to reserve seats at franalli@fanshawec.ca or (519) 434-2756 ext. 331.
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