The playwright and actor in a play cancelled by Victoria害羞草研究所檚 Belfry Theatre over potential local tensions linked to the war between Israel and Hamas says he害羞草研究所檚 disappointed, but empathizes with the situation facing the venue.
Christopher Morris said in a statement Wednesday he害羞草研究所檚 saddened people in Victoria will not have the opportunity to gather in a theatre and share their grief and hope through his play, 害羞草研究所淭he Runner.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淎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 害羞草研究所楾he Runner害羞草研究所� from its programming,害羞草研究所� said Morris.
He said he understands the theatre faces a challenging situation by staging a production that explores difficult themes.
害羞草研究所淚 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,害羞草研究所� 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 isn害羞草研究所檛 right to stage 害羞草研究所淭he Runner害羞草研究所� by Morris, a Canadian writer and actor, said the theatre.
Morris害羞草研究所檚 one-person play, which had been scheduled as part of a festival in March, explores the reactions to an Israeli rescue volunteer害羞草研究所檚 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.
害羞草研究所淭he Belfry Theatre presents contemporary work, with ideas that often generate dialogue,害羞草研究所� said the statement. 害羞草研究所淭hat is why, a year ago, we decided to bring the much-acclaimed play, 害羞草研究所楾he Runner害羞草研究所�, to Victoria. However, we believe that presenting 害羞草研究所楾he Runner害羞草研究所� at this particular time does not ensure the well-being of all segments of our community.害羞草研究所�
The theatre received duelling petitions in recent weeks, alternately calling for the play害羞草研究所檚 cancellation and continued performance at The Belfry, which was spray-painted with graffiti that read 害羞草研究所淔ree Palestine害羞草研究所� last month.
害羞草研究所淕iven the current conflict in the Middle East, this is not the time for a play which may further tensions among our community,害羞草研究所� said the statement. 害羞草研究所淲e will therefore not be presenting 害羞草研究所楾he Runner害羞草研究所� 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.害羞草研究所�
Belfry officials were not immediately available for further comment Wednesday.
Morris said since the play害羞草研究所檚 premiere in 2018, it has been staged in six cities, receiving awards and critical acclaim.
害羞草研究所淚 am humbled that theatre companies have produced this play, which is a nuanced and thoughtful conversation about the preciousness of human life,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚 am deeply traumatized and saddened by humankind害羞草研究所檚 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.害羞草研究所�
Morris said he remains hopeful theatre companies and playwrights will continue doing all they can to give audiences opportunities for dialogue.
害羞草研究所淚 believe 害羞草研究所楾he Runner害羞草研究所� is an excellent opportunity for those things to happen,害羞草研究所� he said.
Morris said 害羞草研究所淭he Runner害羞草研究所� is scheduled to play next month in Vancouver as part of the Push Festival.
The festival schedule has 害羞草研究所淭he Runner害羞草研究所� appearing Jan. 24 to 26 at the SFU害羞草研究所檚 Goldcorp Centre for the Performing Arts.
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