I’ve written often about how much I love reviewing local theatre. I love going out to see the plays that are put on by many of our own local actors and directors and getting to view the creative and individual sets. It’s always an adventure, always a learning experience.
On Friday, September 12, I had the pleasure of going to one of my favourite theaters, The Belfry, to see 1979, a political piece by Canadian playwright Michael Healey. The play is written about the Canadian political scene in 1979, after journalist and author Joe Clarke defeated Pierre Trudeau in the election for prime minister. Clarke was taking his seat a day before his 40th birthday, making him the youngest prime minister ever to serve. This made him, unfortunately, a bit of a scapegoat, not only to the media, but also to his fellow colleagues. In short, poor Joe got teased and bullied quite a bit, especially when he refused to partake in some of the more underhanded political tactics that were expected of him.
Director Glynis Leyshon’s play is full of information about Canadian politics during the late ’70s, but it is also plainly a satire. There are only three actors in this production, and they all carry off their roles with precision, enthusiasm, and humour. The twist comes when the audience realizes that, besides Clark (played by Nathan Howe), the other characters in the show (at least six of them) are carried completely by the other two actors.
Jay Hindle gives a rocking-in-your-seat-with-laughter interpretation of Trudeau, highlighting the characteristics of the late prime minister that had the Canadian people very upset with him at the time.
Luisa Jojic appears first as Maureen McTeer, the wife of Clark, but appears almost unrecognizable later when she plays Stephen Harper, who starts off working with Clark in the Progressive Conservative Party and is already showing some of his true colours when he tries numerous times to steer Clark in directions down a path that, to put it mildly, is not an honest one.
Jojic appears as Harper several times throughout the production, and you see Harper grow darker and sleazier through every appearance. Of the many several characters in 1979 that Jojic plays, her Harper deserves a big shout-out.
One of the most impressive parts of the play is the set. Designed by Pam Johnson, it initially looks like a fancy political office of its time, filled with mahogany furniture and Persian rugs. But soon the audience notices that all the facts, the political history that one might not know yet, is appearing, Star Wars style, on the back wall. That is how the brilliance of this play is truly carried out. The audience can watch the actors on stage make rolling fun of the characters they play, while the actual political history is written behind them.
Indeed, 1979 is the perfect package. It’s hilarious, savvy, and obviously well researched. It takes the carnivorous, frightening nature of politics that seems to always bring out the worst in humanity and shows us what the whole business truly seems to be—a great big scary joke.
1979
Various times and days, until Sunday, October 5
Pay what you can, The Belfry
belfry.bc.ca