Joey Ouellette as Robin and Cheri Scratch as Hazel in Post Productions’ The Children. Photo by Kieran Potter.
I’d be lying if I said I never thought about writing a play about a nuclear fallout. I grew up as a young kid, with movies such as “A Boy and His Dog” and “The Day After” getting played as Movies Of The Week on television. I was fairly aware of the power of nuclear energy and the impact a post explosion could hold. In some ways I was partly terrorized by these movies, but it also gave me a sense of hope that things could change. In the latest production from Windsor’s Post Productions, that very concept is put to the test in a very human way.
“The Children” by Lucy Kirkwood is a highly charged and emotionally impactful play that explores the complexities of human relationships and the aftermath of a nuclear disaster. The production, produced by Post Productions and directed by Fay Lynn, took the stage this past weekend at the Shadowbox Theatre and will continue for two more weekends until February 18.
The play, which premiered in London in 2016, takes place in a remote cottage on the coast of England, following the lives of two retired nuclear engineers, Hazel and Robin, and their former co-worker Rose, who has a long history with the couple. The setting, in a post-nuclear accident environment, only adds to the weight and toxicity of the play, and the dialogue is sharp and insightful, capturing the tension and emotional depth of the story. And fitting, for my darker storytelling other side, the event that served as the inspiration for this play was the 2011 Fukushima nuclear explosion in Japan.
The characters in “The Children” are each dealing with the nuclear incident and the realities of aging in their own unique ways. Hazel, played by Cheri Scratch, has embraced healthy food and yoga in an attempt to take control of her life and health. Robin, performed by Joey Ouellette, deals with the stress of the disaster by visiting the contaminated zone, despite the obvious dangers. Meanwhile, Rose, played by Mary Grace Weir, refuses to face the reality of aging, pretending she isn’t old at all by dressing younger, acting like a brat, and dying her hair.
These differing approaches to the aftermath of the disaster, and to aging itself, add depth and nuance to the already multi-layered relationships between the characters. Their interactions are at once humorous and heart-wrenching, as they navigate their changing lives and the weight of the disaster they helped to create. Through their journeys, the audience is given a window into the complexities of aging, responsibility, and the impact of our actions on the world around us.
One of the things that sets this production apart is that it is being staged in two different versions, with two entirely different casts and two completely different approaches to the script. In the other version, Mary Grace Weir retains her role as Rose, but in a completely different style, joined by Linda Collard as Hazel and Mitch Snaden as Robin. Both casts bring their own unique perspectives to the characters and their relationships, making for two completely different theatrical experiences.
“The Children” is a must-see for anyone who appreciates powerful and relevant theatre. The dynamic between Hazel, Robin, and Rose only strengthens the already strong impact of the play, making it a truly haunting and memorable theatrical experience. With two completely different casts and two different approaches to the script, there is something for everyone in this haunting and powerful production – it’s even recommended that audience members check out the second version of the show to see two entirely different ways the same play can be produced.
“The Children” at the Shadowbox Theatre performs with one cast on Feb. 9, 11 and 17, while the other version hits the stage on Feb. 10, 16 and 18. Tickets can be purchased in advance at postproductionswindsor.ca.
Mary Grace Weir stars as Rose in Post Productions’ The Children. Photo by Kieran Potter.
