The Revolutionists

Originally published in Northumberland News.

The Northumberland Players have kicked off their 50th season with the bold tragicomic play, “The Revolutionists”.

Written by Lauren Gunderson, produced by Rebecca Reid and directed by Mary Schultz, the Players begin this golden anniversary season with a strong feminine force with humour and sharp political insight that explores the power of art in times of revolution.

Since 2015, Gunderson has been one of the most produced playwrights in America. Her work tends to focus on strong female voices, historical figures, science, discovery, moral crisis, and moments of change aimed at connecting historical stories to modern concerns.

“Some of her works follow a more traditional approach and some, like this one, push the boundaries and ask the viewer to join the actors in a slightly altered reality. But trust me, if you go with it, it is so much fun,” said director Mary Schultz.

Set in Paris in 1973 during the Reign of Terror, four historical women — playwright Olympe de Gouges (Lucy Caldwell); Charlotte Corday (Meaghan Macdonald) the assassin of Jean-Paul Martat; Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle (Ernie Anderson) and the doomed queen Marie Antoinette (Marley Soutter) — come together in a fictional but thought-provoking meeting of minds. The characters, though from different walks of life, share a hunger for justice, truth, and legacy, each wrestling with the cost of the resistance in a time when speaking out was fatal … starting to sound uncomfortably familiar?

The set is simple and transforms from a safe place, a study, a prison cell, the Tribunal and the scaffold. With a guillotine looming in the background, as a constant reminder of what is at stake for these four women.

This play is in great hands with a stellar cast. Olympe (Lucy Caldwell) is the central figure — a playwright trying to write a play that matters but struggles with inspiration and cowardice. Caldwell plays her with the perfect balance of neurotic and charm, going from sweet and funny to a force for the revolution. Her facial expressions are everything.

Charlotte (Meaghan Macdonald) is fierce and driven. Macdonald is unrelenting, brave, and blisteringly witty. Marianne (Ernie Anderson) is grounded in her morality — Anderson delivers a passionate yet tender performance. And then there is Marie Antoinette (Marley Soutter) who is clueless yet insightful. Soutter is at times the comedic heart even in the darkest moments of the play.

This is a cast with great chemistry, each reminding us that these women lived, resisted, and paid a price. This is a special piece of theatre.

Kristin Andrews, Northumberland News