Pat Donnelly: Teesri Duniya Theatre Takes on Iraq War in Truth and Treason

Pat Donnelly from the Gazette wrote a Preview about us! And here's a link to her blog www.montrealgazette.com/stageandpage for more info.

Teesri Duniya Theatre Takes on Iraq War in Truth and Treason

In Rahul Varma's latest play,Truth and Treason, a young woman is shot by an American soldier in Iraq and her Canadian mother is not allowed to go to her side because the girl's father, an Iraqi writer, is regarded as a terrorist.

This sure-to-be-controversial work, directed by Arianna Bardesono for Teesri Duniya Theatre, is scheduled to open September 9, 2009, for a 10-day run at the Studio Hydro-Québec Theatre of the Monument National, 1182 St. Laurent Blvd. ( Box Office: 514-871-2224).

The cast includes: Christine Aubin Khalifah, David Francis, Warona Setshwaelo, Ivan Smith, Karim Babin, Sarah Garton Stanley, Abdelghafour Elaaziz, Jean-Moïse Martin and Alex Ivanovici.

Teesri Duniya (the title means Third World) is one of the most unique theatre companies in Quebec's distinct society. Founded in 1981 as a South Asian company it soon began expanding its horizons, mixing social activism with art and practicing colorblind casting long before it became a trendy affectation and chatter topic elsewhere.

This production is paired with an essay writing contest for high school students called Writing Peace. It's a chance for kids to write (idealistically, of course) for cash: $500 for first prize, $300 for second and $200 for third.

Click here for a YouTube glimpse of Truth and Reason.

Pat Donnelly
Gazette Culture Critic