CULTURE GECKO
Burnt Thicket’s The Unplugging Captures a Powerful Stillness in this Post Apocalyptic Indigenous Feminist Fable
By Ezekiel McAdams
February 27 2025
Live Five’s newest production of its twenty-first season is The Unplugging from Burnt Thicket Theatre.
The Unplugging runs from February 27-March 8th 2025 at La Troupe Du Jour’s Studio 914. The previous venue was The Refinery, which is the normal venue for Live Five productions.
Written by playwright Yvette Nolan, the play is a post apocalyptic, ingenious, feminist tale about two women who are exiled from their community after reaching the end of child bearing age. The two women fight for survival in a harsh landscape but are interrupted by a mysterious stranger.
The play is directed by Roxanne Dicke, who is the new artistic director of Gordon Tootoosis Nikaniwin Theatre. The play stars Lisa Bayliss (Bern), Patsy Tuba (Elena) and Liam Johnston (Seamus).
Dicke’s direction perfectly captures a quiet stillness that permeates the entire runtime of the production, soaking in a powerful ambience that helps shine the spotlight on the characters and radiant performances from the cast. Dicke is able to balance various themes that feel intertwined in the world created and never heavy handed or preachy.
Nolan’s script presents a world and characters that feel real, gripping using tension, humor as well as sprinkling exposition sporadically that captures a world, mythology and characterization that are striking.
Bayliss evokes a raw, vulnerable confidence, relateability and self awareness as Bern that is captivating, earnest and heartwarming. Bayliss’ ability to convey charm, humor and trepidation interchangeably is a feat.
Tuba marvels as a gritty, stoic, withdrawn Elena, who uses her physicality, cadence and to build a raw, magnetic performance that is the heart of the production.
Johnston brings a nonchalant, unassuming quality as Seamus that is effortlessly charming and likable. Johnston uses his physicality, vocal cadence and facial expressions that makes his performance unforgettable.
Stephen Waldschmidt’s work as set and prop design captures both a rustic and inviting atmosphere while juxtaposing it with harsh open space that instantly feels confining. Waldschmidt is also the artistic director of Burnt Thicket Theatre.
Emma Gustafson’s costume design feels familiar yet specific evoking the survival ascetic but also capturing subtle, comfortable tones when the characters change costumes.
Judith Schultz’s use of projection and lighting design in the production embodies a mood and vibe that transform the production into encapsulating the themes and emotions masterfully.
Tim Bratton’s choices as sound designer amalgamate a folksy, atmospheric tone that anchors the production and creates a soundtrack instead of interludes between scene changes.
Peace Akintade’s role as intimacy director allows vulnerability, humor and sweetness to be on display in the production’s intimate scenes. The role of intimacy director is paramount for scenes to feel real for the audience, yet safe and supportive for the cast and crew.
Ed Mendez’s role as fight director is able to ground realism with tension and humor and weave it seamlessly into the production should be noted.
Finally, Liam Scramstad as stage manager, Bratton as associate director, Mendez as production manager and Ian Klimpton as assistant lighting design are all crucial components on this production working and running as smoothly as it did.
The Unplugging leaves behind a marvelous mark and impression where the various themes of environmentalism, survival, community, women’s rights and feminism culminate into a thought provoking stew only added by powerful performances and unsettling tone from Dicke’s direction that allows levity to seep through the production. The story is engrossing, engaging with inspiring set design, sound and projection use.
Live Five’s The Unplugging from Burnt Thicket Theatre is running from February 27-March 8th 2025 at La Troupe Du Jour’s Studio 914 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, Tickets can be bought online here, On The Board’s box office or the venue itself.