Q&A: Maev Beaty on her Role in Proud The Play by Michael Healey

Maev Beaty

Proud is the third in a trilogy of plays about Canadian values by Michael Healey. Set in the Prime Minister’s office in Ottawa just after the 2011 election, the controversial satire explores the inner workings of the man running our country. Here, we chat with actress Maev Beaty about her role in this must-see show.

Theatromania: How would you describe Proud to someone who has never seen one of Michael Healey’s plays?

MB: Satirical humanism! Michael’s plays are filled with imaginative what-ifs and an intuitive insight into human nature, warts and all. They use humour and wit to dissect the head and the heart. Proud turns this periscope onto a fictional world, just one parallel universe over, in which the familiar characters (yes, Stephen Harper) are tested in what seem like outrageous circumstances, and reveal themselves. It’s asking questions about the past, present and, most importantly, our future.

Theatromania: Do you have to be politically inclined to “get” this show?

MB: I think every person is politically inclined to some degree—we are all citizens of some country, we pay taxes and are perpetually surrounded by media, even if we aren’t all reading it. That’s as much as you need to come play with us. Proud makes some references to contemporary political scenarios, yes—but the themes and questions are as old as democracy (which goes back approximately to the 6th century.) Some of jokes are even older.

Theatromania: Tell us about your character, Jisbella Lyth. What excites you about this role?

MB: Jisbella is a slippery chameleon of a character. She can glide and flirt with a female stereotype and then flip it and reverse it with a blink, a smile, a bark or a silence. She is very much alive, learning, curious, hungry, fiercely loving, watchful, and strong. But she ain’t perfect, folks. Far from it. And those are the roles I love—those that end up digging their own ditches and then coming up with creative ways to climb out of them.

Theatromania: Have you learned anything significant during this process?

MB: I’ve learned that I never want to stop learning about how “the other half” thinks. I want to think, to imagine, to fantasize about what is motivating the people in power that I usually dismiss or condemn. And more strongly than ever I am reminded to question authority and ideology, including my own.

Theatromania: Why should people, especially Canadians, see this show?

It’s fun. It’s funny. It’s scary. It’s a reminder. It’s a wake up call. It’s sexy. It’s silly. It’s a capital Q question about what might be happening in the head of the man behind the curtain. In fact, people should come and peek behind the curtain with us…you may be surprised about who is back there.

Proud runs from September 20 to October 6 at the Berkeley Street Theatre.
Tickets $25 –$40, Mondays PWYC. Visit canadianstage.com for more information and to buy tickets.

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Proud The Play by Michael Healey

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