The Phoenix Theatre is known for producing progressive work, and Vinegar Tom is no exception to this tradition. Written in 1976 by Caryl Churchill, and directed by MFA candidate Francis Matheu, Vinegar Tom revolves around mother and daughter Joan and Alice, who are accused by an angry neighbour of practicing witchcraft.
“The play is about witches, but without witches in it; it tackles how men of the 17th century treat women, and how women react to the treatment in those times,” says Matheu. “This is at a time when medicine, or science, medical science, was in its infancy, and some of the people who were marginalized were poor, who could not afford physicians, they had to resort to other medical resources, like natural healing. However, the society and the church and the leadership of government of that time would refer to these healers—mostly women—as witches, when technically they were not. They didn’t practice witchcraft or anything of that kind. The word would get around that these women were practicing witchcraft, and that would become the truth in that community. These women would get involved in the trials, and most likely be executed.”
Matheu explains that Vinegar Tom represents early feminism.
“It’s written by Caryl Churchill, a feminist mover,” says Matheu. “It was commissioned by Monstrous Regiment, a feminist theatre group from the 1970s, when the feminist movement really became prominent. When Monstrous Regiment heard that Churchill wanted to write a play about witches without witches, they commissioned her to write for them. So became Vinegar Tom.”
Matheu says that directing Vinegar Tom was an emotional experience.
“I’m from the Philippines,” he says. “I’ve been doing theatre since 1995, but since we don’t have master’s in directing back home, I opted for Canada for this course. Since I’m in the program of the MFA, directing in the department of the Fine Arts, I was asking myself what is a relevant play that I can present?”
Matheu says that the play is different in that it’s a play with music in it, but it’s not a standard musical. And the themes are still relevant.
“As we listen to the news, there’s a lot of conspiracy theories going around,” he says. “A lot of hatred, one nation against other nations, all for their own interests… Back in the 1700s, hatred towards people was rampant… This is what the conspiracy theories are—the powerful, and even regular, individuals having power over somebody who is powerless, and innocent.”
Vinegar Tom is both a tragedy and a comedy, Matheu says.
“Certainly, it’s a dark comedy,” he says. “The way Churchill wrote it is very well thought out, dealing with serious matters, but I am trying not to be too specific, sort of general.”
Matheu has also found meaning not just through the play itself, but with the team he is working with.
“I am having such a good time with the actors, explaining to them what the history is all about,” he says. “I’m beginning to see, as we continue with rehearsal, how the vision is starting to form on stage… I think how it’s not just my work, but the collaborative effort of everyone in the cast. They do their homework, they take the vision of the director, and they, you know, apply it as they memorize their lines. I’m having a great time with them.”
Vinegar Tom
Thursday, February 16
to Saturday, February 25
$16-$30 (student rush tickets
$16 30 minutes before show)
UVic Phoenix Theatre
finearts.uvic.ca/theatre/mainstage