LADIES DAY
Photo courtesy of Jordy Clarke Photography
Ladies Day is a work of verbatim theatre by critically-acclaimed Australian playwright Alana Valentine. This is the sort-of true story of one writer who goes to Broome, Australia for Ladies Day at the horse races, and what she experiences there. This is also the story of one gay man’s sexual assault, and how he reclaims himself after it. The play places focus on the silent epidemic of sexual assault and misconduct within gay communities at large; Grindr does not know borders. This play also implores us to question our preconceived notions related to the objectivity of truth; can multiple different truths about something exist at the same time? Ladies Day is hilarious, dark, devastating, tender, playful and downright debaucherous. As Artistic Director of New Stuff Theatre, I feel thankful and humbled to have been able to present the North American premiere of this powerful play to Toronto’s eager theatregoers.
In addition to directing this piece, I had the privilege of playing Mike, the protagonist of the play. I loved bringing this character to life, and am so thankful for all that he provided me in return. He is hilarious and clever, with a razor-sharp wit. He is fierce with an acute sense of right and wrong, and trust me, you don’t want to wrong him. Bringing his epic revenge plot to life has been the most challenging and satisfying theatrical experience I’ve had to date.
GALLERY
