Q&A: Yukonstyle

After a successful turn directing Canadian Stage's modern production of The Taming of the Shrew in High Park this past summer, director Ted Witzel is back at the helm of the company's latest show, a new production of Sarah Berthiaume's play Yukonstyle. Set in Whitehorse in 2007, the story follows three unlikely roommates as they attempt to survive a harsh winter while the Robert Picton murder trial plays out on television. Starring Kate Corbett, Ryan Cunningham, Francois Klanfer and Grace Lynn Kung, Yukonstyle explores what it means to be a young Canadian living in the north.

We caught up with Witzel to find out more about this unique piece of theatre.

Theatromania: Tell us about Sarah Berthiaume's Yukonstyle. What excites you most about this play?

TW: One of my favourite dead horses to flog is the frightening decline in people my age going to the theatre in Toronto. If there are people my age at the theatre, it's probably because they are also people who work in the theatre or they've been dragged there out of obligation to a friend who's involved with the show. By and large, people my age don't think of going to the theatre on a Saturday night the same way they think of going to a movie or a concert. It’s frustrating for me, because I make theatre entertaining for those people or at least theatre that would speak to those people if they would show up. But there's an obvious reason why they aren't going to the theatre—there's not a whole lot of work that's being made for them. We complain and complain about young people not going to the theatre but aside from cheap tickets for the under-30 set, we're not really addressing the issue. I don't relate to the content and style of a lot of the theatre I see here either so I can sympathize. When I read Yukonstyle, I felt an immediate difference in the writing. These were characters I could relate to, talking about things I cared about. Sarah is playing with form and style in ways that I think will speak to my generation. She’s not shy about tackling tough subject matter that doesn't come with easy answers. Decades and centuries of racist policy and discourse have done irreparable social, cultural and economic damage to our First Nations and this continues to have countless manifestations in contemporary society. It’s kind of astonishing that we are so behind on these issues, in light of the relative progress in women's rights, queer rights, and multiculturalism that Canada has made in the past century and the pride with which we tout this progress. I don't think my generation is willing to stand silently any longer and allow our policy-makers to ignore this problem. At least, I hope not.

Theatromania: How would you describe this production in a sentence or two?

TW: It’s haunting, poetic, funny, raw, poignant, brutal, mysterious, discomforting and cold.

Theatromania: You are one of the inaugural graduates of York University's MFA Program in Theatre. What advice would you give to prospective students?

TW: Three things:

1. If you're used to working in the independent world; get used to doing everything in half as much time.
2. If you have a lover, make sure you protect your little bits of free time fiercely or you'll graduate with an empty bed. Diplomas aren't very good at cuddling.
3. Matthew Jocelyn (artistic & general director, Canadian Stage) has a particular fondness for bad puns. Get used to it.

Theatromania: Have you learned anything new from your experience directing this piece?

TW: I’m usually working with casts at least twice this size and I was a bit worried about not having enough bodies onstage. But it's awfully nice to work with such a small cast, especially one as engaged, wacky and energetic as this one. You can be a lot more intimate and attentive to each actor, you can put a lot more of your focus on the technical elements of the show and you drink a lot less Red Bull.

Theatromania: What do you hope audiences take away from this performance?

TW: Some questions, some anger and some wonder. Some respect for this land and its beauty, danger and power. And the moldy peaches stuck in their head.

Yukonstyle runs until October 27 at the Berkeley Street Theatre (26 Berkeley Street, Toronto). Visit canadianstage.com for more information and to buy tickets.

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