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1939
1939 is a new play at the Stratford Festival's Studio Theater in Ontario. Jani Lauzon and Kaitlyn Riordan wrote it. Lauzon is the director of the play as well. The world premiere of 1939 received a great response from audiences and critics alike.
With a focus on indigenous culture and students, 1939 uses Shakespeare to present a witty, wonderful, and powerful message to the crowd.
The play has been termed bold and even unexpected as it uses comedy to showcase the importance of the indigenous culture and the colonial legacies of Canada.
The Plot and Its Significance
1939 is about five indigenous students from the Anglican Residential School in Northern Ontario. Their teacher asks them to present Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well when King George VI arrives to visit.
The students began to see parallels between Shakespeare's play and their lives. Though the school tries to take the children away from their native culture and roots: the results are the opposite. The kids turn inwards to retain and develop a much stronger connection with their cultures.
Even though the school and the setting are fictional, the plot is very much rooted in reality. It holds a mirror to the dark part of Canadian history.
The Emphasis
However, 1939 doesn't emphasize the horrors of abuse, torture, and victimization. Instead, it shines a light on how the students grow into unique personalities and have dreams and ambitions of their own.
Each student's character has been crafted with care to highlight the indigenous connections while also presenting how their lives can be connected to the characters in Shakespeare's play.
This creates an intriguing and compelling presentation without being overly dramatic or overwhelming the audience.
1939 has created a stronger impact by taking a novel route to showcase abuse and brutalities towards indigenous kids. This alone makes it a favorite of many.
The humor in the play comes from Shakespeare's puns and Canadian stereotypes. In fact, there's some potty humor thrown into the mix.
This strange combination somehow works to create an effective play and is a testament to the writers' skills. Joanna Yu designed the set for 1939, which creates the perfect mood for the play and elevates it to the next level.
Though Shakespeare and his plays have been an inspiration for many, 1939 set the standard high with its immaculate plot and presentation.