The Election at Toronto's Theatre Passe Muraille
Photo by John Lauener
October is a month full of pumpkin spice snacks, cooler weather, sweaters, cozying up with friends and most importantly: VOTING. Yes, it’s that time of year folks! While exercising your rights as a young Canadian may be something you find anxiety provoking, we have just the thing to get you in the mood to show up to the polls and do your thing.
I’m talking about the election. No, not the literal one coming up faster than we know it. The Election; a performance presented by Common Boots Theatre in association with Nightwood Theatre and Theatre Direct. (You would be surprised how many times I can fit the word theatre into one sentence).
Written by Natasha Greenblatt and Yolanda Bonnell, and directed by Jennifer Brewin, The Election tells a thought provoking story about the 2015 election through the eyes of several different volunteers. Formulated from real experiences, The Election presents an urgent and timely conversation about Canadian Politics.
While their experiences as volunteers are important, the true story of The Election runs even deeper than that. Intersectional stories of indigenous reconciliation, immigration, climate change, identity and the land itself are embodied through a powerful ensemble of performers.
I was in awe of not only the subject matter, but of the questions that this play asks of us. What are our politicians truly doing for us? What can we do with our voices? Are we really heard? And, in a time of overwhelming differences, how can we come together?
With our own election right around the corner, a performance that engages its audience with this type of challenge is essential. As young people—as ANY PEOPLE— we have to care about voting. We have to care about change and we have to listen for it. If there is one thing that The Election taught me, it is that going into a time of political change, we have to be willing to listen to each other in order to grow and promote a better world for not only ourselves but for the future people who will grow up here too.
The Election runs from October 12th to October 27th at Theatre Passe Murialle (16 Ryerson Avenue). Performances are accessible for blind audiences as well as those with low vision. For more information about events involving The Election and the show itself please visit: https://www.nightwoodtheatre.net/whats_on/the_election
Photo by John Lauener
The Election
Written by: Natasha Greenblatt and Yolanda Bonnell
Directed by: Jennifer Brewin
Cast: Augusto Bitter, Rachel Cairns, Joelle Peters, Anand Rajaram, Rose Stella, and Courtenay Stevens
Running Time: 2 hours (with a 15 min intermission)