For the second time in three months, a play that depicts sensitive historical hardship has been cancelled in Victoria because a segment of the public doesn’t like what or how it is being depicted.

An online backlash against the production of Sisters, a Canadian drama about a residential school, asserts the play is offensive and racist. The resultant fear of violence prompted the Fernwood Community Association (FCA) on Wednesday to close the production just days before it was scheduled to conclude its two-week run at Paul Phillips Hall, where its tenant Theatre Inconnu performs on Fernwood.

Clayton Jevne, the theatre’s artistic director and GM said he reached out online to try to understand. 

“I put the word out: Please let me know what was racist and offensive,” he tells Capital Daily.

“What I got back was, ‘Well, you're a white person, you're doing a story that concerns First Nations, and you shouldn’t be doing that.’”

Jevne wondered aloud whether any of the play’s detractors had read or seen the play.

“No one would identify why the play was racist or offensive,” he said.

In January, the Belfry—just across the street from Paul Phillips Hall—cancelled The Runner, which was scheduled to run this month. The one-person play explores what happens when an Israeli rescue volunteer saves a Palestinian woman accused of harming a soldier from Israel.

Vancouver’s PuSh festival followed suit a week later.

‍1991 play written by British Columbian Wendy Lill

Sisters, written by BC dramatist and former NDP Member of Parliament Wendy Lill, tells the fictional story of a nun who burns down a residential school in the Maritimes as she struggles to come to terms with the Catholic Church’s role in assimilating First Nations children.

Sisters opened on Feb. 20 and played to robust audiences in the 60-seat playhouse. Still, late Wednesday afternoon, the FCA—the theatre’s landlord—announced it had cancelled the remaining performances, including Saturday night’s which had already sold out. 

“For those of you who have seen the play, you will know for yourself if this play is racist or not, and for those of you who haven't seen it, I invite you to get a copy of the script and read it, so you do not have to be told what to think of the play,” the theatre wrote to its subscribers. 

“This is a play that has been promoted for several months, and it is unfortunate that those who decided it would be offensive waited so long to make their feelings known,” the emailed notice said, adding ticket holders would be reimbursed.

“The play was chosen after careful consideration and vetting, and up until now there has been nothing mentioned in print or otherwise about it being a racist play,” the notice said.

Decision made 'due to public protest'

Shortly after 3pm Wednesday, a note appeared on Theatre Inconnu’s Facebook page promoting Sisters, which read: “Due to public protest, our landlord has shut down the play.”

The FCA board of directors made the decision following an onslaught of online accusations the play was “offensive” and “racist.”

“Well damn - I was looking forward to seeing it on Saturday,” wrote one of several supporters who were shocked to hear the FCA had ordered the plug pulled.

“F’n ridiculous,” wrote another. 

The FCA could not be reached in time to respond in this article and Jevne, the theatre’s artistic director, was hesitant to say anything further on record.

He conveyed that the cancellation was devastating to all involved, including the young actors who had rehearsed diligently and were looking forward to the production’s finale on Saturday night.

Not good timing at all

Jevne also said the loss of Saturday in particular could be ground-shifting for the theatre company because it habitually uses the closing day's afternoon and evening performances to help sell memberships. 

Known as Victoria's longest-surviving alternative theatre company, Theatre Inconnu's roots go back to 1978. Since becoming a non-profit in 1987, the acting troupe has performed more than 150 productions in the city.

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