TRURO - A taboo subject will be in the spotlight next weekend with Joy Laking's ‘Invisible Prisons.'
The play, presented by the Truro Theatre Society, features 14 true stories about how domestic violence has affected the lives of women, both young and old, and men.
Bryden MacDonald will direct the play, which premieres at the Marigold Cultural Centre on March 8 on International Women's Day.
"Everyone knows about domestic abuse, but it's an important issue, it's complex and it's heavy," said MacDonald, 50, who has been directing for about half of his life. "When I was first asked to direct, I asked - is there a sense of hope in the piece. I was wondering which way the play was going and if there is a sense of individuality amongst the women and two men."
The stories on stage are ones Laking, an artist from Portapique, has gathered from women and men that are comfortable enough with her to share them.
"In a way, she's curated them into ‘Invisible Prisons,'" said MacDonald. "As a result, this is based on actual experiences."
With the cast ranging in ages from that of a teenaged girl to a woman in her 70s, as well as 45-year-old man, MacDonald said audience members will get a sense of more than just one story.
"What that does, is it makes it impossible for everyone not to connect somehow and realize that we are all, in one way or another, connected to these stories of violence," he said.
"With 14 stories, you get quite a colourful arc and look into the complexities of the situation, and I think that's what the audience members are going to bring away from this."
Raised in Glace Bay, Cape Breton, this is MacDonald's first performance he's directed in the Truro area.
The cast, he said, is a great bunch.
"They are very diverse in groups, such as ages, genders and experiences. Everyone is certainly passionate about the importance of sharing their stories."
Along with directing, MacDonald has been teaching first-year playwrights for the past eight years at the National Theatre School in Montreal. He has also served as dramaturge at Playwrights Workshop Montreal, Mulgrave Road Theatre and Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre.
One of his first professional jobs was working as a technician and actor at Mermaid Theatre in Windsor, Hants County, where he met the woman who went on to become his mentor - Evelyn Garbary.
"She was a remarkable teacher who was way ahead of her time taking young writers and directors under her wings."
MacDonald had his first play produced thanks to Garbary - a play for younger audiences dealing with sex and drugs.
‘Invisible Prisons' premieres at 8 p.m. on March 8, with two performances set for March 9 - 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. All shows are at the Marigold Cultural Centre.
Tickets are $15 for the evening shows, with Saturday's matinee a free-will offering, and free to students. The play is not suitable for elementary school students.
For more information or tickets, contact the Marigold Cultural Centre at 897-4004.
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