“… the truth is missing somewhere.”
Produced by the departments of Theatre and Stagecraft and Event Technology, Canadian playwright George F. Walker’s Zastrozzi is a dark, comedic melodrama that pits reason against imagination, and debates the ethics and morals of retribution.
A master criminal and atheist, Zastrozzi is pursuing revenge for the murder of his mother by the religiously devout Verezzi, whose father seduced and impregnated her. However, Zastrozzi doesn’t want to just kill the Verezzi, but rather force him to commit suicide, going against his Christian beliefs, making his revenge even sweeter.
“As dark as this piece can be, there is an opportunity for emotional release and connection when we mine for humour in themes that we find to be painful,” says the play’s director, Thrasso Petras. “The opportunity to come together and shape a play into a container that can hold the imbalances in our lives is a boon to us all, especially at this moment in time.”
Livestreaming performances have been successful for the Douglas Theatre Program, with audiences from five countries watching and taking part in talkback sessions for previous productions. “Streaming has given us a great tool to reach out beyond our usual sphere of influence and it’s been great for the friends and family of our cast and crew who are unable to attend in person, especially for international students, whose families are always distanced,” Petras said. “We have the Stagecraft and Event Technology Department to thank for establishing and running our broadcast network.”
Performances take place live on Zoom, March 24 at 7:30pm, March 25 at 1pm followed by a talkback with the cast and crew, and March 26 at 7:30pm. For Zoom links and access instructions, visit douglascollege.ca/theatreproductions.
Douglas College is the largest degree-granting college in B.C., combining the academic foundations of a university and the employer-ready skills of a college to graduate resilient global citizens who adapt, innovate and lead in a changing world.
For more information, visit douglascollege.ca.
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