In a triumph of artistic and social storytelling, Korda Artistic Productions’ presentation of “She Kills Monsters” transcends the boundaries of conventional theatre. Debuting on September 8 at KordaZone Theatre, the play ingeniously weaves through the lives of young women grappling with loss and identity against the fantastical backdrop of five-headed dragons and menacing cheerleaders. It runs for two more weekends, until September 23.
Originally written by Qui Nguyen in 2011, the story centralizes Agnes Evans, a young woman coming to terms with her grief through her late sister Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons game. As she delves deeper into the virtual fantasy world, Agnes learns about Tilly’s life, including her courage in living openly as a lesbian. The game serves as a mystical, revelatory landscape, becoming almost an alternate character in itself.
One of the most striking aspects of this production is its mature handling of LGBTQ2S+ narratives. The play doesn’t just give a nod to diversity; it engulfs itself in the textures and nuances of what it means to be queer, non-binary, or gender-nonconforming. Discussions about being “othered” were an integral part of the preparation, showing that the subject matter was treated with the attention it so desperately needs in mainstream storytelling.
The significance of this play becomes even more resonant as it marks the 20th season of Korda Artistic Productions. The selection of such a story, rich in diversity and complex themes, showcases the evolving tastes and social awareness of the theatre community. It’s both a retrospective mirror and a looking glass into the realms of potential future narratives.
The production manages to stay true to the original Dungeons & Dragons lore, filled with an array of mythical creatures that add layers of complexity and adventure to the narrative. What could have easily become a gimmicky backdrop instead complements the underlying themes of grief, identity, and personal growth.
While rooted in D&D culture, the play’s themes are universally relevant. It becomes evident that the experience of navigating through fantasy worlds isn’t confined to any particular subculture. It’s a broader metaphor for the internal and external journeys that everyone must undertake at various stages of life.
The cast in “She Kills Monsters” undoubtedly contributes to the play’s magic. Each actor navigates their role with a keen understanding of both the Dungeons & Dragons universe and the deeper emotional layers of the script. Lexie Farrer’s portrayal of Agnes Evans captures the audience’s hearts as she deftly conveys the balance between a grieving sister and a curious adventurer. Meanwhile, Josephine Cormier’s rendition of Tilly Evans resonates as an authentic and unapologetic voice, a lighthouse guiding Agnes—and by extension, the audience—through an intricate realm of fantasy and raw human emotion.
Among the ensemble, the characters of Tilly Evans (Josephine Cormier), Chuck (Wren Cormier), and Orcus (Zephyr Caruana) offer particularly memorable performances. Josephine Cormier’s Tilly is a masterful blend of vulnerability and strength, embodying the spirit of a young woman who lived her life authentically despite societal norms. Wren Cormier’s Chuck serves as the comic relief but with layers; there’s an underlying wisdom to the character that peels back like an onion as the story unfolds. As for Zephyr Caruana’s Orcus, the performance melds wit with a tinge of melancholy, encapsulating the essence of a character burdened with existential complexity.
The play’s original setting in the mid-’90s—a period considerably different from today in terms of LGBTQ2S+ representation—serves as a temporal bridge. It illustrates how far societal attitudes have come and how much room there still is for growth and understanding.
What sets this production apart from others that have tackled the same material is the raw emotional resonance it achieves. It stands alone in its ability to capture the complex interplay of humor, sadness, and societal commentary. After attending the show, one might find themselves, like I did, searching online for other productions to compare, only to realize that the emotional depth and social dialogue achieved here are unmatched. Qui Nguyen would be proud.
“She Kills Monsters” runs for two more weekends through September 23 at The KordaZone Theatre, 2520 Seminole Street, Windsor, Ontario. With general admission priced at $25 and a special Pay-What-You-Can Night on September 14, there’s no reason to miss this one.
If dragons be your destiny, the world of Korda awaits.
Cast:
- Agnes Evans – Lexie Farrer
- Tilly Evans – Josephine Cormier
- Chuck – Wren Cormier
- Orcus – Zephyr Caruana
- Kaliope – Abbey Lee Hallett
- Lillith – Jenna Fisch
- Evil Tina – Marissa Dodich
- Evil Gabbi – Charlotte Bondy
- Vera Martin – Lauren Stiers
- Narrator/Faerie – Artemis Alvi
- Steve – Max Dent
- Miles – Eric Droski
