Trophy Hunt takes
a walk on the wild side

Trina Davies’ latest play premieres at the Montreal Fringe Festival

By Julia Ainsworth

Trophy Hunt by award-winning playwright Trina Davies (finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award), makes its debut this summer in the Canadian Fringe Festival circuit. As part of a “rolling world premiere”, five separate theatre companies will stage Davies’ newest play from June until September 2019. First up is Paul Van Dyck’s clever interpretation (Rabbit in a Hat Productions) set in a secret outdoor Montreal location.

The audience gathers at dusk to set out on a safari into the urban wild. In the tradition of promenade theatre, experienced guide and performer, Stefanie Buxton, keeps the show and audience moving from one gorgeous landscape to the next while ensuring smooth transitions. A trio of monologues reveals the complexities of three characters (Harry Standjofski/alternate Marcel Jeannin, Anton May and Maryline Chery) struggling to survive and thrive in the industry of Big Game Hunting. This local cast delivers strong performances rooted in the inner world of their characters, yet playfully responsive to their audience.

… an inventive work and unique experience offered in this year’s festival… bound to capture the attention of Fringe audiences as well as the curiosity of unsuspecting bystanders who find themselves pulled into the action.

Exquisite handmade masks designed by Ashley Lang are brought to life by a dynamic ensemble of actors with choreography by Vanessa Rigaux. Rigaux’s elegant use of scale and the exploitation of the natural environment are dramatic and impactful. Van Dyck artfully stages the sharp script, which explores the ethics of survival and the nature of “wildness”.

Rabbit in a Hat’s production of Trophy Hunt is an inventive work and unique experience offered in this year’s festival. It is bound to capture the attention of Fringe audiences as well as the curiosity of unsuspecting bystanders who find themselves pulled into the action. I highly recommend Trophy Hunt for both traditional theatregoers and those looking for something a little off the beaten path.

Trophy Hunt plays until June 15.

For schedule and tickets: montrealfringe.ca/organizer/the-trophy-hunt

Image: Jaclyn Turner

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