Play exposes sad history
of women’s prison
Imago Theatre presents the world-premiere of The Flood at the Centaur
By Byron Toben
February 29, 2024
Imago Theatre, created in 1987 by Andres Hausman and others, has always had innovative artistic directors – witness Clare Shapiro (2000), Micheline Chevrier (2013) and now Krysta Jackson. It has been largely a feminist theatre, focusing on injustices and giving voice to the unheard.
Its most recent production, the world premiere of The Flood, is no exception. Written by Leah-Simone Bowen and creatively directed by Yvette Nolan, it evolved from painstaking research into the history of the Saint Lawrence Market Prison on Front Street in Toronto, being in the basement of the market and subject to leaky ceilings and water drips as well as the threat of floods from nearby Lake Ontario. Sleeping on the bare earth was common due to the lack of beds, and even having a chair was a luxury. The prisoners were largely poor and minorities – natives, blacks and Irish domestic workers.
Hard to report that these revelations were enjoyable, but they certainly were revealing and necessary.
Many quotes were incorporated into a twenty-page “studyzine” handed out to the audience along with the two-page mini program.
The cast of six played ten roles. Jimmy Blais, the one male, was busy as a brutal guard; Samuel, a long lost son trying to free his mother; and another guy named Fred.
Karen Roberts was dynamic as Sophie, dominating “mad woman” Victoria (Jennifer Roberts). Quinn Dooley impressed as Irish Mary, trying to help fellow pregnant prisoner Mary (Krystie Pederson). Anana Rydvald rounded out the cast as another prisoner.
A Shakespearian ending as a tempest causes a huge water wave in the prison basement while Mary is birthing her baby, and everyone drowned save one who was swept into an air pocket and clutching the newborn infant, survived to swim to safety and tell the tale.
Hard to report that these revelations were enjoyable, but they certainly were revealing and necessary. French surtitles were flashed, continuing the efforts of both Imago and the Centaur Theatres to reach out to the wider local public.
Sound effects were composed and designed by Moe Clark, of Métis origin.
The Flood ran from February 15 to 25.
Imago’s next event, Space Girl, screens March 23 and 24.
Images: Andrée Lanthier
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Byron Toben, a past president of The Montreal Press Club, has been WestmountMag.ca’s theatre reviewer since July 2015. Previously, he wrote for since terminated websites Rover Arts and Charlebois Post, print weekly The Downtowner, and print monthly The Senior Times. He also is an expert consultant on U.S. work permits for Canadians.
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