THE BASICS: The Shaw Festival presents THE HOUSE THAT WILL NOT STAND at the Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre, 10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0, Canada, on stage now through October 12, for tickets — www.shawfest.com/playbill/the-house-that-will-not-stand
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: THE HOUSE THAT WILL NOT STAND is a drama about a free black woman in New Orleans in 1813, whose white lover passes away. Losing him puts her at risk for losing other parts of her life, whether she knew it or not, and the story takes us through her struggle to keep her family together.
RUNTIME: 145 minutes including a 15 minute intermission
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION: In an intimate theater-in-the-round setting, you will be immersed into the story of this play by the women who tell it. It was so refreshing to see an all female cast who are all women of color and I thoroughly enjoyed the dramatic storyline and the intriguing characters who tell it.
Set in 1813, in New Orleans we are given a unique perspective of life from this period, a perspective that’s much different from what you read in the history books in school. This was soon after the Louisiana Purchase took place and the Americanization of life there had begun. This play by Marcus Gardley was inspired by Federico García Lorca’s The House of Bernarda Alba.
Beatrice, played by Monica Parks, is a free black woman who had an affluent white romantic partner named Lazare, who died. They weren’t officially married but they had three children together and lived under the same roof.
When you walk into the theater you’ll see the stage set in a living room scene with Lazare’s dead body on a table covered in lace sheets (don’t worry, it’s just a wax mannequin). The play starts with a woman, Madame La Veuve who is played by Nehassaiu deGannes, coming to mourn his loss but quickly you find out she is really there to pester the house slave, Makeda, played by Sophia Walker, to see if she has any gossip on how he died, and whether there was foul play involved.
Then we start to explore the relationship dynamics between the three sisters as they get home from church, each of them mourning the loss of their father in their own way.
One sister, Agnès, played by Deborah Castrilli, is most concerned with finding love and becoming a plaçage, which is a formal arrangement between a white man and a woman of color since interracial marriage was still illegal. This is the same kind of arrangement which her mother and father, Beatrice and Lazare, were together under. There is a very detailed history of the plaçage in the program so don’t forget to grab one at the show!
Of the other two sisters, Maude Lynn, played by Rais Clarke-Mendez, is the one who is most concerned with doing the right thing according to their christian faith. And the last sister, Odette, played by Ryann Myers, is more likely to go along with her sister Agnès, and to be a little rebellious.
When their mother gets back from church she immediately scolds them for not appearing the way people in mourning should be. She seems to be concerned with how the town might perceive their family. The family is clearly already viewed with skepticism as the mother is faced with suspicion that she killed her white husband. Even though this play is set 200 years ago you can see the parallels of deep-rooted racial discrimination and gender discrimination, which we still see effects of in the present day.
In addition to the thorough storyline, the caliber of acting in this play is stupendous by each of the actresses aforementioned as well as Cheryl Mullings, who plays the crazy aunt, Marie Josephine. This is a high-quality production in all ways. It may seem more simple because it’s a small theater with a small stage and a small cast, but it’s complex in so many ways and you’ll truly be immersed by the story and actresses, as well as the lighting and sound effects.
Just one minor disclaimer; only sit in the front row if you aren’t afraid of a 4D experience as the actresses sometimes get very close to the patrons in this row and I noticed a couple almost getting hit by flying objects at some points, which could actually be a fun experience if that’s what you’re looking for. I did not sit in the front row but I imagine it’s an even more immersive experience than my account mentioned above because of how you may feel as though you’re right in the set with the actresses.
Grab a friend who enjoys historical fiction, some gals who love to see an all female cast, or really anyone who appreciates a good night out at the theater, and you won’t be disappointed! The metaphorical doors to The House That Will Not Stand are open until October 12 at the Shaw Festival, and they’re waiting for you to walk through them.
For all the shows up at the Shaw Festival right now, head to www.shawfest.com.
HERD OF BUFFALO RATING SYSTEM
FIVE BUFFALO: Universal Appeal! This production is pure theatrical magic – a crowd-pleaser. No prior theatre experience is necessary. Whether it’s a laugh-out-loud comedy or a heartwarming drama, this show offers an unforgettable shared experience. You’ll laugh, be touched, or amazed (depending on the genre). Grab your tickets before they disappear!
FOUR BUFFALO: Highly Recommended! This production delivers high-quality entertainment. It may have a strong script and stellar performances. While it might not be for everyone, theatre fans and those interested in the style, themes, or genre are sure to be delighted. Gather your friends or grab a date – you won’t be disappointed you went!
THREE BUFFALO: A Solid Night Out! This solid production and enjoyable evening at the theater. It’s a strong choice for a night out. Roam over and check it out if you can!
TWO BUFFALO: Intriguing! This production may not appeal to all tastes. However, if you’re feeling adventurous and want to blaze your own theatrical trail, this production offers a unique experience. While it may have some minor imperfections, if the genre, themes, and style align with your interests you should defintely attend!
ONE BUFFALO: If you love Theatre…Although it won’t resonate with everyone, it offers a challenging and stimulating experience. Traditional theatergoers might find it difficult to follow. While it will undoubtedly spark conversation, consider the genre, themes, and style before attending.
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