Photo above: Detective Wright (Sarah Roa) interrogates Mark Wall (Finnegan Howes). Photographer: Matt Reznek, Reznek Creative.
Synopsis
Eighteen-year-old Mark, who lives to make movies, is being interrogated about the disappearance of a boy – his best friend. He holds his story close, but his secrets are illuminated via film footage, memories, fantasies, and fears, and it becomes clear that the crime he’s accused of committing is intertwined with another violent act. The play is inspired loosely by a true story.
Premiere
Centurions has not yet received its theatre premiere. We were in the early stages of negotiating a production that was squashed by Covid-19. Prior to that time, the play received generous development support in residencies from: Vancouver’s Boca del Lupo (project exploration); Burnaby’s Shadbolt Centre for the Arts (project design); and Coquitlam’s Evergreen Culture Centre, where a fierce and moving presentation was performed twice in the theatre. Our talkback discussion on closing night was intense and thrilling. It moved into the foyer and beyond when the team began to strike the set. It was an honour to learn that a sampling of an early draft of Centurions was selected for publication in Ryga, a Journal of Provocations, Number 2, Winter 2010.
Reviews
‘…a powerful and brave piece.’
Rebecca Burton, Playwrights Guild of Canada
‘Despite its sinister undertones, what’s compelling about Mark’s interrogation … is his endearing fragility – even his memories are mediated through cameras and commercial fantasies. In the end, solving the crime is less important to us than seeing Mark live fully in the material world around him.’
Sean Johnston, Editor, Ryga, A Journal of Provocations
‘I didn’t feel like I watched something, I felt like I went somewhere.’
Sue, Audience Member, Evergreen Cultural Centre
‘Such a talented group of artists, and immense work from the young actors, in particular.’
Audience Member, Evergreen Cultural Centre
