May Your Consolation Be My Redemption

"May your consolation be my redemption." That is the theme behind Dominick Parenteau-Lebeuf's Little Martyrs. Inspired by the 1993 torture and murder of a toddler by two teenage boys in Great Britain, the play asks the question, "Can people who have done horrible things atone for their past?"

Matt Miwa as Jacob and Brad Long as Ludo in Little Martyrs Photo by Andrew Alexander

Little Martyrs has been a work in progress for over two years. "Even though I needed to use my dictionary to understand every other word . . .  I was blown away by the possibilities in the work," Bedford says in his Director's Notes about Lavigne proposition. And playwright Parenteau-Lebeuf agreed. Impressed with Bedford's vision for the play, she granted the rights.

Like the grim event preceding the play, there was a dark undertone to the entire script. It was interesting to see how one person's take on redemption could differ from another. While Jacob -- whose character seemed teetering on the edge of sanity most of the time -- found restitution on the high path of Christianity, Ludo opted for a life of beauty through creation. The character growth for each of two protagonists was a unique experience. Jacob's grip on reality continued to deteriorate as he fell deeper into religion and the idea of martyrdom; Ludo appeared to be adjusting to the outside world well, blending in with society and even successfully courting the tormented Minnie. Dark and gloomy monologues were scattered throughout the play and offered us insight to the history of Jacob, Ludo, and Minnie. There was a real ghost story feel to these scenes, and they drew me in, helping me understand the outer quirks of the characters.

Margo MacDonald as Blanche and Matt Miwa as Jacob in Little Martyrs Photo by Andrew Alexander

This isn't a play for the faint of heart or for those who attend the occasional Gilbert and Sullivan comedy. The scenes are explicit; the themes, a tough pill to swallow; and the ending is only bittersweet. It is a play that will make you feel uncomfortable, but you will find yourself leaning closer, so you don't miss what comes next.

Little Martyrs plays at the Arts Court theatre Tuesday to Friday at 8:00pm until February 19^th. Saturday matinee is at 2:00pm. For more information, please contact the Arts Court at 613-564-7420 or Evolution Theatre at www.evolutiontheatre.ca.

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