March 8, 2011

‘It’s an examination of real life,’ director explains

Photo courtesy Justin Quesnelle

The word terrorism can evoke different sentiments for different people. It can inspire scenes of 9/11, and often connects us to the feeling of fear. However, Passionfool’s newest production places terrorism on a personal level. Passionfool presents the Presnyakov Brothers’ 2000 production Terrorism this month at The Arts Project in downtown London.

Terrorism is a series of six scenes. It begins when unclaimed suitcases found on an airport runway are thought to be a potential bomb threat. The passengers of the flight are then delayed at the airport as their flight is cancelled.

The following scenes explore an adulterous relationship, a suicide in an office, a plotted murder, and an instance of bullying among cadets.

The final scene reveals a common thread between the passengers as they finally prepare for takeoff.

Passionfool Theatre prides itself on delivering thought-provoking work and Terrorism is meant to elicit self-examination. The interplay between the audience’s prior interpretation of global terrorism and the realization about personal terrorism supports Passionfool’s aim to incite discussion.

“As opposed to an escape, it’s an examination of real life,” says director and Passionfool co-founder Justin Quesnelle. “You don’t need a plane flying into a building to be a victim of terrorism. We’ll manipulate everybody, everyday, all the time to get what we want. Terrorism is actually about the ways that we all manipulate others through fear, how we are all controlled by fear and how, if we are not careful, fear can dominate all of our choices and all of our actions.”

Terrorism is known for its use of dark humour and takes a sarcastic approach to bleak issues.

“It’s very engaging, very thought-provoking, and very funny—but it’s the kind of funny where you catch yourself laughing and then feel bad for it,” Quesnelle says.

While Quesnelle does not reveal how the Arts Project’s theatre space will be used to put on the production, he acknowledges that the stage – which consists of a simple black room — has never been used the same way twice in their year production history.

Quesnelle promises a satirical, honest and engaging experience for new and returning audience members.

Terrorism opens March 10 at 8 p.m, with a pay-what-you-can preview night. It will run until March 26 with additional matinee performances on Saturdays. Tickets can be purchased at The Arts Project for $20. For more information, please visit theartsproject.ca or passionfool.com.