New Series of Plays ‘Private Eyes’ Which Recognize the (Partial) Decriminalization of Homosexuality Heads to St. John’s.
A new series of short plays is set to premiere in St. John’s next week, and will spotlight a truly impactful issue.
Private Eyes: Recognizing 50 years of Canada’s (partial) decriminalization of homosexuality; six original plays commissioned from Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador based LBGTQ2S + playwrights. The Newfoundland and Labrador premiere of the production, directed by Sharon King-Campbell, will take place in St. John’s at The Lantern on Thursday, December 5.
In recognition of the anniversary of the Bill C-150 legislation, the six playwrights from Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario each created a 10 minute play to commemorate the anniversary. Playwrights include: Bilal Baig, Robert Chafe, Veronica Dymond, Falen Johnson, Sonny Mills, and Paul David Power.
Chafe, Power and Dymond from Newfoundland and Labrador will be presenting their productions All Manner of Dirt, Drive and Cross Sitch. Ontario based playwrights Johnson, Baig and Mills will introduce Running, I Want That Free Mind and Chaos Gays.
The project is funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Commemorate Canada program, which memorializes historical events of national significance, the plays celebrate the anniversary of Bill C- 150 legislation of the partial decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada.
Artistic Director of Power Productions, Paul David Power, says: “Each playwright has created powerful works that remind us of the evolving history of LGBTQ2S + rights in Canada, while also acknowledging that discrimination is still an everyday experience in this country.”
Lemontree Creations debuted their version of this production in Toronto, ON with their own cast of actors and director(s) for an invite-only performance on November 23, 2019.
After all productions have taken place, the scripts for all six new works will be published in both official languages in a book format that will ensure these important works remain available in the public domain for future rights-free productions by others.
The presentation will contain strong language and adult themes, and is intended for a mature audience.
By Dillon Collins