The playwright and actor in a play cancelled by VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Belfry Theatre over potential local tensions linked to the war between Israel and Hamas says heB次元官网网址檚 disappointed, but empathizes with the situation facing the venue.
Christopher Morris said in a statement Wednesday heB次元官网网址檚 saddened people in Victoria will not have the opportunity to gather in a theatre and share their grief and hope through his play, B次元官网网址淭he Runner.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淎s a playwright who values the role of theatre as a platform to explore ideas about the complexities of life, I was disappointed to learn that The Belfry removed B次元官网网址楾he RunnerB次元官网网址� from its programming,B次元官网网址� said Morris.
He said he understands the theatre faces a challenging situation by staging a production that explores difficult themes.
B次元官网网址淚 am saddened that people in Victoria, especially those with very divergent views and those traumatized by the atrocities in Israel and Gaza will be denied the opportunity to come together in a theatre to explore their common humanity, share their grief and perhaps discover a flicker of solace and hope,B次元官网网址� Morris said.
The statement said Morris was not available for an interview.
The Belfry Theatre said in a statement that local tensions connected to the Middle East war in Gaza prompted the company to cancel the scheduled run of play, which is set in Israel.
The timing isnB次元官网网址檛 right to stage B次元官网网址淭he RunnerB次元官网网址� by Morris, a Canadian writer and actor, said the theatre.
MorrisB次元官网网址檚 one-person play, which had been scheduled as part of a festival in March, explores the reactions to an Israeli rescue volunteerB次元官网网址檚 decision to save a Palestinian woman accused of violence against a soldier from Israel.
The theatre said it booked the play last year to present a contemporary work that could spur discussion, but after a period of difficult consideration the production has been cancelled.
B次元官网网址淭he Belfry Theatre presents contemporary work, with ideas that often generate dialogue,B次元官网网址� said the statement. B次元官网网址淭hat is why, a year ago, we decided to bring the much-acclaimed play, B次元官网网址楾he RunnerB次元官网网址�, to Victoria. However, we believe that presenting B次元官网网址楾he RunnerB次元官网网址� at this particular time does not ensure the well-being of all segments of our community.B次元官网网址�
The theatre received duelling petitions in recent weeks, alternately calling for the playB次元官网网址檚 cancellation and continued performance at The Belfry, which was spray-painted with graffiti that read B次元官网网址淔ree PalestineB次元官网网址� last month.
B次元官网网址淕iven the current conflict in the Middle East, this is not the time for a play which may further tensions among our community,B次元官网网址� said the statement. B次元官网网址淲e will therefore not be presenting B次元官网网址楾he RunnerB次元官网网址� during the 2024 SPARK Festival. This has not been an easy decision, and we are grateful to our community for sharing various perspectives which added to our understanding.B次元官网网址�
Belfry officials were not immediately available for further comment Wednesday.
Morris said since the playB次元官网网址檚 premiere in 2018, it has been staged in six cities, receiving awards and critical acclaim.
B次元官网网址淚 am humbled that theatre companies have produced this play, which is a nuanced and thoughtful conversation about the preciousness of human life,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 am deeply traumatized and saddened by humankindB次元官网网址檚 capacity to wage war. As a Canadian I want our politicians to do all they can to make the violence in Gaza and Israel stop.B次元官网网址�
Morris said he remains hopeful theatre companies and playwrights will continue doing all they can to give audiences opportunities for dialogue.
B次元官网网址淚 believe B次元官网网址楾he RunnerB次元官网网址� is an excellent opportunity for those things to happen,B次元官网网址� he said.
Morris said B次元官网网址淭he RunnerB次元官网网址� is scheduled to play next month in Vancouver as part of the Push Festival.
The festival schedule has B次元官网网址淭he RunnerB次元官网网址� appearing Jan. 24 to 26 at the SFUB次元官网网址檚 Goldcorp Centre for the Performing Arts.
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