By Alena Khabibullina
Special to The Dialog
When talking about gender equity, we are thinking about women’s role – economic, social or personal. It seems that feminist ideas will be widely highlighted by mass media unless patriarchal concepts are absolutely exterminated.
Art is known as the engine of progress for it is the easiest and most expressive way to convey any sort of ideas to society. Nightwood Theatre’s latest production is no exception, it unites two well-known feminists on its stage: Kelly Thornton, the artistic director of Nightwood Theatre, and award-winning Canadian writer Margaret Atwood who wrote her interpretation of Homer’s Odyssey, called The Penelopiad.
We have always known one version of the story about the mythical hero Odysseus cunningly capturing Troy, bravely fighting against dreadful monsters, overcoming all the hardships on his return home, and being extremely popular among women – especially of divine origin.
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood is entirely a women’s story written by women about women and performed by 13 women. It is the same Homer’s story but retold by Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, waiting for her long-absent husband for 20 years.
A satirical style of performing makes the original version of The Odyssey seem not so pathetic and heroic. The legendary myth, retold by Penelope, turns out sarcastic, sometimes jesting over exaggerated manhood and male triumph. The story depicts the unfair treatment of women such as the 12 maids hanged by Penelope’s teenage son, Telemachus, on the order of Odysseus who didn’t take into account that they were supporting his wife in dealing with all the suitors that plagued her during his long absence.
Knowing the same story through different eyes the watcher can draw their own conclusions not only about the retold story but also about gender equity, justice and truth. It’s interesting that the auditorium of the theater was full of mature and elderly people, while charming young women perform all the action.
Does it mean that young generation is ignorant to the art and essential themes raised on the theatrical stage?
“I am a real theatre fan and in my sixties I realize that the theatre is one of the easiest ways to be closer to the culture, world tendencies, to have fun, to get cultural enjoyment and thinking ground. “ said spectator Barbara Williams, “Sometimes it’s difficult to find a truth and the theatre helps me in it. As for the young people I can say that more of them are on the stage than in the auditorium. I don’t meet a lot of them coming to the theatre. Maybe they know the truth better than me…”
The Penelopiad is playing at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre until Feb. 10. Don’t forget your student ID for a $20 discount. After the performance you can also take part by donating to “Honour a woman in your life”.
Nicole Joy-Fraser, Maev Beaty, Monica Dottor, Fiona Byrne, Kelli Fox, Megan Follows, Audrey Dwyer, Sophia Walker, Pamela Sinha in The Penelopiad. Photo: John Lauener
